The Artemis II crew is currently in the midst of their significant lunar flyby mission, entering day six of their journey. As part of their preparations, one astronaut is set to manually take control of the spacecraft to assess its operational capabilities.

However, the crew has encountered a recurring issue with the spacecraft’s restroom facilities. The astronauts are actively preparing for their much-anticipated flyby of the Moon, focusing on the geological features they will need to examine and capture images of while orbiting our celestial neighbor.

Commander Reid Wiseman shared with Houston’s Mission Control that the crew is in good spirits as they commence another workday. The next critical phase of their approximately 10-day mission is anticipated on day six, which will take place early Tuesday morning in Australian time. At this point, the astronauts will enter the Moon’s “sphere of influence,” where its gravitational force will exert a stronger effect on the spacecraft than that of Earth.

If everything goes as planned, Orion will make a swift pass around the Moon, potentially setting a new record for the farthest distance from Earth ever achieved by humans. On day four, the astronauts began their day with a breakfast of scrambled eggs and coffee, and were awakened to the music of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.”

Having surpassed the halfway mark between Earth and the Moon, the crew still has about another day of travel before reaching their lunar flyby. During this time, the astronauts maintain their daily routines in the confined space of the Orion capsule.

For those interested in following the mission closely, the ABC Radio National podcast “Artemis Explained” offers daily updates from lift-off to splashdown, providing insights into life as an astronaut, the intricacies of space travel, and future endeavors beyond the Moon.

If you have questions regarding the Artemis mission that you would like addressed in a future podcast episode, you can reach out via email at sciencefriction@abc.net.au.

To listen to more episodes hosted by Belinda Smith and Jacinta Bowler about the Artemis II lunar mission, search for the “Science Friction: Artemis Explained” podcast on the ABC Listen App or your preferred podcast platform.

This report acknowledges that the story originates from the lands of the Gadigal and Wurundjeri peoples. Commander Wiseman, along with American astronauts Christina Koch and Victor Glover, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, are undertaking a remarkable journey around the Moon, which they will soon orbit.

Commander Wiseman has labeled this endeavor “Herculean,” noting that humanity has not achieved such a feat in over fifty years. Later on day four, astronaut Victor Glover was scheduled to manually operate the spacecraft, testing its capabilities in deep space, after which the crew planned to review their checklist for documenting their lunar observations.

The astronauts have undergone geological training to effectively capture and describe lunar features, including ancient lava flows and impact craters. Their approach offers a unique perspective, differing significantly from the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 70s, which orbited approximately 70 miles above the Moon’s surface. In contrast, the Artemis II crew will approach within 4,000 miles, allowing for a comprehensive view of the Moon, including its polar regions.

So far, the Artemis II crew has experienced breathtaking sights. “Last night, we caught our first view of the far side of the Moon, and it was absolutely stunning,” mission specialist Christina Koch remarked during a live interview from space. Unfortunately, they continue to face challenges with their restroom facilities, which have been malfunctioning since launch, possibly due to ice obstructing the system.

In the interim, NASA has advised the crew to utilize backup urine collection bags until the issue can be resolved. Commander Wiseman also reported to mission control that the crew’s morale remains high and that the views of Earth from their vantage point are “remarkable.” He humorously noted that the passage of time has become somewhat disorienting for the astronauts, stating, “We’ve heard a rumor that it is actually Saturday back on Earth. We have definitely lost track of the days.”