NPR Science

NPR covers the Feb 14 docking. Meir at the ISS welcome ceremony: "We have so many countries represented, so many backgrounds, so many disciplines, and we are so excited to be here and to get to work." The mission replaces Crew-11, which departed ahead of schedule due to a medical evacuation — marking the first time in US space history a mission was cut short for medical reasons.

NPR's account of the IM-2 landing anomaly, covering the moment mission control reported "we don't believe we're in the correct attitude." Context on why south pole landings are uniquely difficult — permanent shadows, terrain complexity, and limited solar power margins. Notes Firefly's successful Blue Ghost landing just days prior.