Artemis II astronauts already have two complaints hours after launch
The Artemis II mission officially lifted off yesterday (1 April) as humans are set to travel further into space than ever before.
Millions will have tuned in to watch the launch as three astronauts from NASA and one from the Canadian Space Agency head up above the Earth's atmosphere on a 10-day mission that will take them towards the Moon for the first time in over 50 years.
While the launch is perhaps the most dangerous part of any trip into space, and that seemed to go perfectly after the potentially dangerous cumulous clouds didn't cause any issues, it appears as if problems are popping up more frequently now that the quartet are actually in space.
Much has been made about the astronauts being allowed to take their iPhones up there, but much like people on a commercial flight, they've had to stick to flight mode and use them simply for photographs.
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But it seems as though Commander Reid Wiseman has been less than impressed with the more modern cameras available to them, as he bemoaned the images from the GoPros, describing them as 'very white, bright and washed out'.
He was even less complimentary about the iPhone cameras, saying: "It's like walking out the back of your house and trying to take a picture of the Moon.
"That's what it feels like trying to take a picture of the Earth."
Although they managed to have slightly more success with more old-fashioned cameras with a long lens, it's not exactly ideal for the technology to fail when they're heading somewhere that has never been seen before.
Another issue for the astronauts on board seems to be the temperature, as they were rudely awakened from their nap earlier today by the coldness on the spacecraft.
Engineer and astronaut Christina Koch said: "It is very cold in the cabin. Any chance you can make it warmer, or reduce the cabin fan speed a bit more so the ventilation is not blowing as hard?"
Mission control responded: "We're going to take a look at some of these shell heaters and we'll let you know when we start putting some of that in work and we can see if that affects the temperature in a positive way."
These are just two of the complaints that we've heard about, with the astronauts also pointing out an issue with the toilet on board the spacecraft just moments after the launch.
However, it's not all been bad news, as after all they've made it up into space without any significant problems, with Koch speaking about the 'phenomenal' view of Earth that she was treated to earlier today.
She said: "I just wanted to describe for you guys the beauty that we're seeing.
"You can actually make out the coastline of the continent, you can make out rivers because of the sunglare, you can see high thunder clouds... the South Pole lit up.
"It is just phenomenal. It is just absolutely phenomenal. You guys look great."
Personal items Artemis II astronauts have brought with them
Commander Reid Wiseman
Wiseman, a US Navy test pilot-turned-astronaut, is a single parent who is raising his two teenage daughters alone after he sadly lost his wife to cancer in 2020.
He's spoken to his children about the risks of the mission, with him saying to them while out on a walk: "Here's where the will is, here's where the trust documents are, and if anything happens to me, here's what's going to happen to you… That's part of this life."
Wiseman said he planned on taking a small notepad so that he can jot down his thoughts during the mission.
Mission specialist Christina Koch
Koch, an engineer and physicist, is a woman who has made many incredible milestones in her life.
Not only has she set the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, spending 328 days aboard the International Space Station in 2019, but she's also taken part in the first-ever all-female spacewalk. And now, she's the first woman to ever travel to the moon and venture into deep space.
Koch is taking handwritten notes from people close to her for her personal item, which she has described as a 'tactile connection' to loved ones back on Earth.
Mission specialist Jeremy Hansen
This is the former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot and physicist's first time in space, making him the first Canadian to ever venture into deep space.
Hansen, who is married with three children, will carry four moon-shaped pendants for his wife and children, engraved with the phrase 'Moon and back' and set with their birthstones.
He will also be taking maple syrup and maple cookies on his lunar voyage, in true Canadian style.
Pilot Victor J Glover
Glover, a former US Navy fighter pilot and test pilot who became a NASA astronaut in 2013, is setting a milestone of his own by being the first ever Black person to travel to the moon.
He is married with four children, and served as pilot of NASA's SpaceX Crew 1 mission, as well as spending nearly six months on the International Space Station as part of Expedition 64.
Already known as the most charismatic and 'sharply dressed' of the Artemis crew, Glover has said he will take on board with him a Bible, his wedding rings and family heirlooms, along with a collection of inspirational quotations compiled by Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart.
James Moorhouse