NPR News: 04-02-2026 9PM EDT

Artemis II astronauts have successfully fired their main engine to escape Earth's orbit, marking the first crewed lunar trajectory in over 50 years. The episode also covers federal agency staff cuts, military leadership changes, legal setbacks for Trump-era policies, a midwifery lawsuit in Georgia, and the recovery of a stolen ancient artifact.

Artemis II Mission Advances

The Orion capsule carrying Artemis II astronauts completed a critical six-minute main engine burn after a day in Earth orbit, propelling it toward the moon. Astronauts reported smooth performance with good engine integrity and control. This maneuver places humans on a lunar path for the first time since the Apollo era, exposing the crew to risks like cosmic radiation outside Earth's magnetic field protections. The journey will take about four days. The mission tests capabilities for future lunar landings and sustained presence.

Federal Agency Staff Reductions

FEMA shed 356 employees in February alone, per Office of Personnel Management data, with over 2,500 jobs cut since September. Trump administration officials advocate drastic reductions, including in disaster survivor assistance offices, to streamline the agency under the Department of Homeland Security. At his Senate confirmation hearing, DHS Secretary nominee Mark Wayne Mullin argued such cuts enhance efficiency.