Artemis II Moon Mission Launches, Supreme Court Hears Birthright Case

Artemis II Moon Mission Blasts Off, Historic Crew Aboard

History is being made today at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida as NASA’s Artemis II mission prepares for liftoff. The launch is set for 6:24 PM Eastern Time, with four astronauts embarking on a ten-day journey around the Moon. This mission marks the first time humans have traveled on a lunar trajectory in over 50 years.

The crew includes the first woman and the first Black astronaut to journey to the Moon. Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen of Canada are making this historic flight. “It’s about human history. It’s the story of humanity, not Black history, not women’s history, but that it becomes human history,” said one of the astronauts, emphasizing the universal significance of the mission.

This launch follows years of preparation and comes after several delays. The primary goal of Artemis II is to test the technology needed to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon and beyond. “We finally arrived. I mean, the next chapter in America’s journey to the Moon is about to begin,” stated a NASA official. “You got America’s Moon rocket out on the launch pad. You got four astronauts that are about to make history. We’re about to make our return to the Moon. And this time to stay.”

The mission is the most significant for NASA since Apollo 17 in 1972. The astronauts have been in quarantine to ensure their health before the journey. The Artemis program aims to land astronauts on the Moon as early as 2028, with Artemis III planned for lunar landing. Artemis II will test crucial docking procedures and fully vet the Orion spacecraft before future lunar landings.

Meteorologist Angie Lassman reported favorable weather for the launch window, with southeast winds at 2 mph and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. While there’s a chance of scattered showers earlier in the day, most rain is expected to dissipate by the evening launch time. The primary concerns for launch are partly cloudy conditions and elevated wind speeds. The chance of a “go” for launch is currently 80%, which is considered pretty ideal.

Supreme Court Weighs Birthright Citizenship

In a high-stakes legal development, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments today on President Trump’s executive order challenging birthright citizenship. The order, issued last year, states that children born to parents who are in the U.S. illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.

The court is hearing the administration’s appeal of a lower court ruling that struck down these restrictions. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is leading the challenge, calling the order unconstitutional and out of step with American values. President Trump is personally attending the hearing, an unprecedented move for a sitting U.S. president.

The administration argues that the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment, passed in 1868, was intended to apply only to children of freed slaves, not to the broader population it currently covers. The plaintiffs, represented by the ACLU, argue that being subject to U.S. law while living in the country means one is “subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” thus entitling their children to birthright citizenship. The ACLU warns that if the order is upheld, it could affect hundreds of thousands of babies born in the U.S. each month, potentially leading to their arrest, detention, and deportation.

US Considering NATO Exit Amidst Iran Tensions

President Trump told The Telegraph newspaper that he is strongly considering withdrawing the U.S. from NATO. This sentiment stems from his frustration that NATO allies have not been more supportive in military actions, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The President stated that the U.S. will be concluding its involvement in the war with Iran “very soon,” potentially within two to three weeks. He indicated that the U.S. will leave once Iran is no longer able to develop a nuclear weapon. Financial markets have reacted positively to the prospect of an end to the conflict.

President Trump is scheduled to deliver a national address tonight at 9 PM Eastern Time with an update on Iran. Meanwhile, Iran’s president has expressed willingness to end the war if the U.S. and Israel meet certain conditions, according to Iranian state media.

From Tel Aviv, International Correspondent Matt Bradley reported that Iran’s conditions have not changed, and they essentially win by surviving. The Trump administration appears to be moderating its message, suggesting that regime change is now defined as change within the regime. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that only about half of their war goals have been met, and air raid sirens have continued in central Israel. Recent attacks on a Kuwaiti oil tanker and a Qatari fuel tanker near the Strait of Hormuz highlight the continued tensions.

The FBI is investigating the kidnapping of American journalist Shelby Kittle in Baghdad, Iraq, believed to be the work of an Iran-backed militia. The State Department had previously warned the journalist of threats against her.

Gas Prices Surge Past $4 Per Gallon

The average price of a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. has surpassed $4 for the first time since 2022. Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy, noted this is a rare milestone, with Americans now spending an estimated $411 million more on gasoline daily compared to a month ago.

De Haan warned that prices could continue to rise, potentially reaching $4.50 or even $5 per gallon if the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted. The ongoing conflict with Iran and the resulting impact on oil flow through the Strait are major factors influencing these price increases. The details of President Trump’s address tonight are expected to shed light on the future status of the Strait and its impact on oil prices.

Source: This Morning’s Top Headlines – Apr. 1 | Morning News NOW (YouTube)