Daily Skimm Weekend: Artemis II Astronauts, Long Reads, and Herbal Teas

Infinity and Beyond

The Story

Tomorrow, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) are making a “once-in-a-generation” announcement.

Stellar.

It should be. For the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, a crew will orbit the moon — and fly farther into space than ever before. The world will find out who the lucky four will be tomorrow morning, when the crew for the Artemis II mission is announced. So far, NASA has revealed very little about who they’ve chosen, but it is confirmed that it’ll be three Americans and one Canadian — part of a previous agreement between NASA and the CSA. NASA has also repeatedly said that it’s committed to diversifying space — which includes landing the first women and the first person of color on the moon during the Artemis missions. That’s after all of the people who flew on Apollo were white men. Whoever is selected will make the estimated 10-day journey around the moon and back in November 2024 or later. 

What will they do?

They’ll travel aboard the Orion spacecraft (a nearly 17-foot-wide, gumdrop-shaped capsule), testing its capabilities for longer duration missions and ensuring its systems are operating as intended in deep space. It’s the second of three “increasingly complex missions” in NASA’s Artemis program: Last year, Artemis I sent the Orion spacecraft on an initial test flight around the moon sans astronauts. Soon, Artemis II will add the astronauts to the mix. And in approximately 2025, Artemis III will put astronauts on the moon to explore an area near the lunar South Pole.

Sounds out of this world.

You said it. And interest in the moon is reigniting with recent discoveries. Just last week, scientists revealed that glass beads on the moon’s surface could hold billions of tons of water — which might help power future human missions, and opens up a conversation about “lunar living.” Plus, there’s a burgeoning space race among commercial companies aiming to bring tourists into orbit. Who said the Space Age was over?

theSkimm

On the heels of one of the most important breakthroughs in lunar research, NASA is making one of the biggest announcements in its history with the Artemis II crew. Now, let’s see if the agency lives up to its promises about diversity.

What's Happening

In news...

A powerful storm system tore through the South and Midwest on Friday and Saturday, killing at least 26 people and causing extensive damage to homes and businesses. After a three-day hospital stay, Pope Francis — who was treated for bronchitis — is back at the Vatican. Meanwhile, President Biden, along with top editors at dozens of news outlets, called on Russia to release Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, after he was arrested on espionage charges, which the paper “vehemently denies.” In other presidential news, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced he’s — surprise, surprise — running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. And as the Justice Dept sued Norfolk Southern over the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, some residents in Raymond, Minnesota had to temporarily evacuate their homes after a train carrying ethanol derailed and caught fire. While in Tennessee, a federal judge temporarily blocked a new state law restricting public drag performances, just hours before it was set to take effect.

In sports...

It might be April, but there are still March Madness games: This afternoon, Iowa and LSU will go head to head in the women’s national championship game. And tomorrow night, UConn and San Diego State will face off in the men’s. Speaking of basketball tournaments, the NBA playoffs are just around the corner — and the Sacramento Kings scored a spot for the first time since 2006. Meanwhile, players from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are teeing up for “a tradition unlike any other.” And baseball is adjusting to a whole new ballgame. Both the International Olympic Committee and Wimbledon made some updates to rules about Russian and Belarusian competitors. And more than a decade after the 2012 London Games, American runner Lashinda Demus is finally an Olympic champion.

In business...

The average Wall Street bonus dropped 26% last year to — wait for it — $176,700. Meanwhile, the number of Americans filing for unemployment rose moderately last week. It comes as fake job listings keep popping up. In the most magical place on Earth, the battle between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) isn’t over just yet. And while Adidas stepped back from giving Black Lives Matter trouble over its three-stripe design, Nike introduced a new product to help minimize period leaks for athletes. Plus, in a smorgasbord of food news: Uber Eats is cracking down on “ghost kitchens.” Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz denied union busting allegations. And you may soon be able to pay for Panera with the swipe of your palm.

Bookmark'd

Here's a look at the reads we’ve saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…

How ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ and Rae Dunn Took Over American Homes...how the pottery craze millennials love — and Gen Z loves to hate — got so popular.

In 2023, Will Everyone Abandon Their Facial Filler?...injectables had their moment, but now it looks like some people have had their fill.

My Decade of Temporary Homes...one woman on forging her own path after suddenly finding herself without a home, father, or money.

Sunday Scaries, Who?

Here’s one tip for a better start to your week.

Spring has sprung — and so have everyone’s allergies, apparently. If you’re struggling with congestion or a sore throat, or just want to wind down before bed, you might want to give some herbal teas a try. Particularly since there are plen-tea of options out there, whether you want to buy premade bags or DIY your own blend. Here’s what to know.

• Pick the right variety. No matter the problem, there’s a tea for it: If you’re feeling under the weather, something with peppermint, hibiscus, or elderberry reportedly helps. If you’ve got an upset stomach, try a blend that includes ginger. Or, if you want to catch some Z’s, chamomile might do the trick.  

• Gather your supplies. Most grocery stores and online retailers will have the teas you’re looking for, both in bags and loose leaf. (In case you’re wondering, some say herbal tea is fresher and more flavorful when it’s brewed from larger pieces of the plant — aka, loose leaf.) But you can also try making it on your own. You just need dried herbs (or fresh herbs that you dry yourself), a mixing bowl, and an airtight container.

• Get steeping. If you’re using a tea bag, place it directly in your favorite mug. Or, if you’re using loose leaves, place a small amount (generally around 1 teaspoon for every 6 ounces of water) in an infuser. Then add boiling water and let your leaves steep for about five to 10 minutes. Sip, sip, hooray.