Technologies

The Artemis II Crew Gives a Behind-the-Scenes Tour Inside Their Orion Spacecraft

This is how the four astronauts sleep, use the bathroom and work out during their 10-day mission to the moon and back.

Artemis II’s four astronauts are currently on Day 7 of their 10-day mission to the moon. On Day 6, Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch set a record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth.

But before they blasted off into space, back in April 2025, the astronauts took part in an «astronaut film school» through National Geographic’s collaboration with NASA on Artemis II. The publication’s photo and video editors visited the astronauts on a Houston-based Orion mockup to teach them about how to best film their mission with Nat Geo cameras, audio and other tech.

We got a behind-the-scenes look at that astronaut film school.

This is part of NASA and National Geographic’s Space Act Agreement, under which they collaborated on compact, lightweight audiovisual hardware for use inside Orion.

The following clips are just a taste. Nat Geo will soon release a documentary special that goes in greater depth. In the meantime, you can learn more about how the astronauts will rest (spoiler: one will sleep like a bat):

Even entering the spacecraft requires extra attention:

While the toilet, or «hygiene bay,» is in the floor of the vessel, Mission Specialist Christina Koch says you wouldn’t know it once you’re in there. However, the astronauts do have to use handholds and, surprisingly, hearing protection because the toilet is so loud:

Astronauts need to get in their workouts, too. The flywheel exercise device can be used with a handheld bar attached to a strap or a harness, and thanks to zero gravity, whoever is exercising will be doing so toward the craft’s docking tunnel. Since it’s over the toilet, someone could be using the bathroom while a fellow astronaut works out above them.

Though Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen are more than halfway through their mission, we’re still secretly hoping for a visual showing what it looks like when a human can sleep upside down, bat-style.

Check out CNET’s live coverage of the launch of the Artemis II mission.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im