The Morning After: NASA’s Artemis II is on a voyage around the Moon
NASA’s Artemis II successfully launched on April 1 , with its crew on a 10-day mission to circle the Moon. It’s the first crewed Artemis flight and a major step toward humanity returning to our little neighbor in the future. Since launch, the vehicle has separated from its launch system and been manually piloted, testing how the Orion capsule will dock with future lunar landers. There have been some snags, however: The onboard toilet went awry, and Microsoft Outlook has been acting screwy . Jokes aside, there is something magnificent about seeing humanity taking to the stars once again. That, for all of our worst instincts, we can still come together to solve problems and explore beyond our own horizons. — Dan Cooper The other big stories (and deals) this morning SpaceX has reportedly filed for the biggest IPO in history Could be as much as $75 billion. The hottest EVs from the 2026 New York Auto Show (plus one brawny concept) Corvette CX? Take my money now, please. Apple’s controversial Fitness VP Jay Blahnik is retiring Controversial is one way of saying it. What’s going on with Donut Lab's so-called super battery? The company is long on promises, short on evidence. Donut Lab At CES 2026, a Finnish–Estonian startup claimed to have invented a world-changing solid state battery. Rather than explain how it did so, it engaged in a lengthy campaign teasing out data that didn’t quite support its explosive claims. We’ve dived deep to separate truth from hype and found there’s little of the former and far, far too much of the latter. Continue Reading. Roland Go:Mixer Studio review: Portable, professional and plenty of polish It’s pricier than other portable mixers, but for good reason. James Trew for Engadget As James Trew says, $300 is a lot for a portable mixer in this class, but Roland’s brand new Go:Mixer Studio justifies its price. Unlike its predecessor, the Pro-X, it gets a second XLR port, MIDI connectivity and a display offering visible VU meters. That you can also use it as a desktop interface adds another layer of icing on an already sweet cake. Continue Reading. What to expect from WWDC 2026 I’m actually rather excited about this one. Sam Rutherford for Engadget WWDC 2026 isn’t until the summer, but we’re already collating enough rumors from the mill to bring you the inside skinny. Early reports suggest Apple is making this a Snow Leopard year , tidying up after itself inside its software rather than going hard on new features. Hopefully, that will see the gaudier excesses of Liquid Glass dialed down, a lot of trimmed cruft and stability improvements. Oh, and some guff about AI. Continue Reading. Robosen Soundwave review: A childhood dream made real Who cares about sound quality when your speaker transforms!? Sam Rutherford for Engadget There are some things in life that would normally be a hard sell, a $1,400 boombox that could just about move around with poor sound quality being one of them. Dress it up as Soundwave from the original Transformers toy line / cartoon , however, and suddenly Sam Rutherford is racing for their wallet. Continue Reading. Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro review: The king of party projectors On the subject of expensive things… Steve Dent for Engadget Nebula’s built quite the track record for making projectors you’re actually proud to show off. Its latest is the X1 Pro , which combines a beefy 4K projector with a 400-watt Dolby Atmos 7.1 speaker system. That’s a hell of a lot of tech in a single package and is clearly at home at the center of a backyard movie night under the stars. But is it worth the $5,000 asking price? For that, you’ll need to read Steve Dent’s review. Continue Reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-111544222.html?src=rss
NASA’s Artemis II successfully launched on April 1, with its crew on a 10-day mission to circle the Moon. It’s the first crewed Artemis flight and a major step toward humanity returning to our little neighbor in the future. Since launch, the vehicle has separated from its launch system and been manually piloted, testing how the Orion capsule will dock with future lunar landers. There have been some snags, however: The onboard toilet went awry, and Microsoft Outlook has been acting screwy. Jokes aside, there is something magnificent about seeing humanity taking to the stars once again. That, for all of our worst instincts, we can still come together to solve problems and explore beyond our own horizons.
The Artemis II mission marks a significant milestone in space exploration. After decades of planning and development, the mission is designed to pave the way for a permanent human presence on the Moon. The 10-day journey around the lunar body will test the capabilities of the Orion spacecraft, which is intended to carry astronauts to the Moon and back. The mission also aims to demonstrate the feasibility of long-duration spaceflights and the ability to dock with future lunar landers.
The crew of Artemis II consists of four astronauts: Commander Vic Glover, Pilot Michael Fincke, Mission Specialist Kayla Barron, and Mission Specialist Raja Chari. They will travel approximately 2,000 miles from Earth and orbit the Moon at an altitude of about 80 miles. During their mission, the astronauts will conduct a series of experiments and observations to assess the effects of spaceflight on the human body and to study the Moon’s environment.
Despite the challenges faced by the crew, such as the malfunctioning toilet and technical issues with Microsoft Outlook, the mission has proceeded smoothly. NASA has emphasized the importance of these early crewed missions in refining the technology and procedures needed for future lunar exploration. The Artemis program is a collaborative effort between NASA and international partners, including the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
In addition to the Artemis II mission, there are several other significant developments in technology and business that are shaping the landscape of innovation. SpaceX has reportedly filed for the biggest IPO in history, potentially raising as much as $75 billion. The company, founded by Elon Musk, is known for its ambitious goals in space exploration and its role in making space travel more accessible. The IPO could provide the necessary capital to fund SpaceX’s ambitious plans, including the development of reusable rockets and the establishment of a permanent human presence on Mars.
The 2026 New York Auto Show has showcased some of the hottest electric vehicles (EVs) on the market, as well as a brawny concept car. The Corvette CX, a high-performance sports car, has captured the attention of automotive enthusiasts with its sleek design and impressive performance. The growing popularity of EVs is driven by a combination of environmental concerns, advances in battery technology, and government incentives.
Apple’s controversial Fitness VP, Jay Blahnik, has announced his retirement. Blahnik has been at the center of controversy due to allegations of misleading health claims and aggressive sales tactics. His departure from the company has sparked discussions about the future of the fitness industry and the need for transparency in health and wellness products.
Meanwhile, Donut Lab, a Finnish-Estonian startup, has claimed to have invented a world-changing solid-state battery. The company’s claims have been met with skepticism, as it has been slow to provide concrete evidence supporting its explosive promises. A deeper dive into the company’s technology has revealed that there is little truth to its hype, with much of its data not supporting its bold claims.
Roland’s Go:Mixer Studio has received positive reviews for its portability, professional features, and polish. The mixer, priced at $300, offers a second XLR port, MIDI connectivity, and a display with visible VU meters. It can also be used as a desktop interface, making it a versatile and high-quality option for musicians and producers.
WWDC 2026, Apple’s annual developer conference, is expected to focus on tidying up software rather than introducing groundbreaking new features. Early reports suggest that the event will be a “Snow Leopard year,” with a focus on stability and performance improvements. There may also be announcements related to AI, as the company continues to invest in this rapidly evolving field.
The Robosen Soundwave review highlights a childhood dream made real. The speaker, which transforms into a robot, combines nostalgia with cutting-edge technology. Despite its high price tag, the Soundwave has captured the attention of consumers who value both sound quality and unique design.
Finally, the Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro review examines a high-end projector that combines a 4K projector with a 400-watt Dolby Atmos 7.1 speaker system. The $5,000 device is designed for outdoor movie nights and offers a premium viewing experience. However, the question of whether it’s worth the investment remains open, as the review delves into its capabilities and limitations.
These stories and developments are just a few examples of the dynamic and innovative landscape of technology and business in 2026. From space exploration to automotive innovation, from consumer electronics to software development, the world is witnessing a continuous push for progress and discovery. As we look to the future, the potential for advancement and collaboration remains limitless.
