Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: NASA will send astronauts around the moon in February 2026, marking the first crewed lunar mission since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.&nbsp; The 10‑day mission will carry four astronauts on a lunar flyby. It is a crucial step in NASA&rsquo;s Artemis program, paving the way for future landings and establishing a permanent lunar presence. Testing systems beyond EarthArtemis II will validate the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft&#39;s ability to support human life in deep space, according to NASA.&nbsp; <img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/75660bae-8a14-4117-ad56-9cd8e4045ea8.png" style="width: 609px;" class="fr-fic fr-dii">This illustration shows NASA&rsquo;s new rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), which will send&nbsp;astronauts to the Moon on the Artemis missions. (NASA) The crew will test life-support systems that generate breathable air and remove carbon dioxide, evaluating performance during both high-activity exercise periods and rest. These tests are essential for the extended journeys required for future lunar surface missions. Unlike Apollo missions that landed on the Moon, Artemis II follows a free-return trajectory, bringing astronauts close to the lunar surface before returning to Earth without landing. NASA officials have described Artemis II as both a test of hardware and human endurance, requiring rigorous training before astronauts attempt more complex tasks on subsequent missions. Meet the crew<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/b6a6c000-ec85-46f3-9876-cc80583c89c7.png" style="width: 446px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">NASA astronauts (left to right) Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman,&nbsp;and Jeremy Hansen. (NASA/Josh Valcarcel) NASA commander Reid Wiseman, a Navy captain with 165 days of spaceflight experience, leads the 10‑day mission.&nbsp; Navy aviator Victor Glover, who piloted SpaceX&#39;s Crew-1 mission, will serve as pilot and become the first person of color to travel to the Moon. Christina Koch, who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman at 328 days, will become the first woman to journey to lunar space.&nbsp; Canadian Air Force Colonel Jeremy Hansen will complete the crew as the first non-American to venture beyond Earth orbit. Beyond ApolloApollo 17 commander Eugene Cernan became the last human to walk on the Moon on December 14, 1972. The Apollo program completed six lunar landings between 1969 and 1972 before ending due to budget constraints, according to the NASA History Office. Artemis differs fundamentally in scope. Rather than short-term missions, the program aims to establish permanent infrastructure, including the Gateway lunar space station and surface habitats, to support sustained operations and eventual Mars missions. &quot;NASA remains focused on getting ready to safely fly four astronauts around the Moon and back,&quot; said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. The Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft are now stacked at Kennedy Space Center, with NASA looking to launch as early as February 2026.&nbsp;Ground teams are accelerating final preparations, including crew dress rehearsals and a wet dress rehearsal that will involve loading cryogenic propellants to simulate launch conditions.

Artificial Intelligence

NASA’s Artemis II mission will send four astronauts on a 10-day lunar flyby, testing spacecraft systems and life-support for future lunar landings and long-term human space exploration. It will be the first crewed Moon flight since 1972.

NASA to send astronauts to Moon after five decades

ISLAMABAD: A rare lunar eclipse, popularly known as the Blood Moon lit up the night sky across Pakistan on Sunday, drawing crowds of astronomy enthusiasts, students, and curious onlookers who gathered in parks, rooftops, and observatories to witness the celestial spectacle.&nbsp;The eclipse began around 8:30 p.m. local time, with the moon gradually taking on a deep, reddish hue as it passed through Earth&rsquo;s shadow. The phenomenon was visible not just in Pakistan but across large parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and Western Australia.&nbsp;&ldquo;It is a great chance for people, especially students and science enthusiasts, to engage with space science and witness the wonders of our universe,&rdquo; said Pakistan&rsquo;s national space agency, SUPARCO, which encouraged the public to observe the eclipse using telescopes or even with the naked eye.&nbsp;Earth&#39;s shadow on moonThe lunar eclipse peaked at 11:57 p.m. in Pakistan and ended around 1:55 a.m. early Monday. Unlike solar eclipses, this cosmic event posed no risk to the eyes, making it accessible to anyone under clear skies.&nbsp;The Blood Moon effect occurs during a total lunar eclipse when the Earth comes directly between the sun and moon, casting a shadow. Instead of disappearing in darkness, the moon turns red due to sunlight bending and scattering through Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere, similar to the reds and oranges seen during sunsets and sunrises.&nbsp;&ldquo;The more dust and clouds in Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere, the redder the moon appears,&rdquo; said Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at Queen&rsquo;s University Belfast, in comments to AFP.&nbsp;Global phenomenon, local excitementPakistanis weren&rsquo;t the only ones spellbound. From India and China to parts of Africa and Europe, skywatchers were treated to one of nature&rsquo;s most captivating shows. In some parts of Europe and Africa, viewers caught a glimpse of a partial eclipse as the moon rose on the horizon.&nbsp;The total eclipse lasted from 5:30 p.m. to 6:52 p.m. GMT, though visibility varied based on location and weather.&nbsp;Looking ahead in the skyThis marks the second total lunar eclipse of the year, following one in March. Another headline-making astronomical event, a total solar eclipse, is expected on August 12, 2026. Full visibility will be limited to Spain and Iceland, though partial views will be possible across Europe.&nbsp;For now, Sunday night&rsquo;s Blood Moon served as a reminder of the awe-inspiring scale of the universe. It united viewers across continents in a moment of quiet wonder.

The "Blood Moon" rises in the sky during a total lunar eclips

Viral

Pakistanis witness rare Blood Moon lunar eclipse, joining millions across Asia, Africa, and Europe in awe. Event draws crowds of astronomy enthusiasts, students, and curious onlookers who gathered in parks, rooftops, and observatories to witness the celestial spectacle.

Articles tagged with "Moon"

NASA to send astronauts to Moon after five decades

Rare ‘Blood Moon’ captivates stargazers across Pakistan and beyond

NASA to send astronauts to Moon after five decades