Lunar flyby complete! Relief as NASA gets back in contact with astronauts

Orion was unable to speak to Earth for 40 minutes overnight as it moved across the far side of the moon.

When communications were restored, Christina Koch broke the silence. 

Here’s what she said in full:

“Houston, Integrity, comm check. It is so great to hear from Earth again.

“To Asia, Africa and Oceana, we are looking back at you, we hear can look up and see the moon right now. We see you too.

“When we burned this bird towards the moon, I said that we do not leave Earth, but we choose it and that is true.

“We will explore, we will build, we will build ships, we will visit again. We will construct science outposts. We will drive rovers, we will do radio astronomy, we will found companies, we will bolster industry.

“We will inspire, but ultimately we will always choose Earth.

“We will always choose each other.”