Artemis II Returns From the Moon as Old Conspiracies Find New Life Online

9 April 2026

Paul Francis

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A Mission in Motion, Not Preparation

Artemis II is no longer a promise or a plan. It is a live, unfolding mission.

Having successfully travelled beyond low Earth orbit and looped around the Moon, the crew are now on their return journey to Earth. In doing so, they have already secured their place in history as the first humans in more than half a century to venture into deep space. The mission itself has been widely followed, not just through official NASA channels but across social media, where images, clips and astronaut updates have circulated in near real time.

Among the most striking moments so far have been the views of Earth from lunar distance. These are not abstract renderings or archival references. They are current, high-resolution visuals captured by a crew physically present in deep space. For many, it has been a powerful reminder of both scale and perspective, reinforcing the reality of human spaceflight beyond Earth orbit.

Yet as these images spread, something else has travelled with them.

Earthrise over the Moon's horizon, showing Earth partially lit against the blackness of space. The Moon's surface is grey and textured.

The Return of a Familiar Narrative

Alongside the excitement and global attention, Flat Earth narratives have begun to reappear with renewed visibility. As with previous milestones in space exploration, the mission has acted as a catalyst rather than a cause.

Footage from Artemis II, particularly anything showing Earth as a curved, distant sphere, has been picked apart across various platforms. Claims of digital manipulation, lens distortion and staged environments have resurfaced, often attached to short clips or isolated frames removed from their original context.

This is not evidence of a growing movement in terms of numbers. It is, however, a clear increase in visibility. The scale of Artemis II has pulled these conversations back into mainstream timelines, where they sit alongside genuine public interest and scientific engagement.

Real-Time Content, Real-Time Reaction

What distinguishes Artemis II from earlier missions is the immediacy of its coverage. This is not a mission filtered through delayed broadcasts or carefully edited highlights. It is being experienced as it happens.

That immediacy has a double edge. On one hand, it allows for unprecedented access and transparency. On the other, it provides a constant stream of material that can be reinterpreted, clipped and redistributed without context.

A reflection in a window, a momentary visual artefact in a video feed, or even the way lighting behaves inside the spacecraft can quickly be reframed as suspicious. Once those clips are detached from their technical explanations, they take on a life of their own within certain online communities.

The speed at which this happens is key. Reaction no longer follows the event. It unfolds alongside it.

Scepticism in the Age of Algorithms

Flat Earth content does not exist in isolation. It is sustained by a broader culture of scepticism towards institutions, particularly those associated with government and large-scale scientific endeavour.

NASA, as both a symbol of authority and a source of complex, hard-to-verify information, naturally becomes a focal point. Artemis II, with its deep space trajectory and high visibility, fits neatly into that framework.

Social media platforms then amplify the effect. Content that challenges, contradicts or provokes tends to perform well, regardless of its factual basis. As a result, posts questioning the mission often gain traction not because they are persuasive, but because they are engaging.

This creates a distorted sense of scale. What is, in reality, a fringe viewpoint can appear far more prominent than it actually is.

The Broader Public Perspective

Outside of these pockets of scepticism, the response to Artemis II has been largely one of fascination and admiration. The mission has reignited interest in human spaceflight, particularly among audiences who have never experienced a live crewed journey beyond Earth orbit.

There is also a noticeable difference in tone compared to previous eras. The Apollo missions were moments of collective attention, where a single narrative dominated public consciousness. Artemis II exists in a far more fragmented environment, where multiple conversations unfold simultaneously.

In that landscape, it is entirely possible for celebration, curiosity and conspiracy to coexist without directly intersecting.

A Reflection of the Modern Media Landscape

The re-emergence of Flat Earth narratives during Artemis II is not an anomaly. It is part of a broader pattern that defines how major events are now experienced.

Every significant moment generates its own parallel discourse. One is grounded in reality, driven by science, engineering and exploration. The other is shaped by interpretation, scepticism and the mechanics of online engagement.

Artemis II, currently making its way back to Earth, sits at the centre of both.

The mission itself is a clear demonstration of human capability and technological progress. The conversation around it, however, reveals something different. It highlights how information is processed, challenged and reshaped in real time.

In that sense, Artemis II is not just a journey through space. It is a case study in how modern audiences navigate truth, trust and visibility in an increasingly complex digital world.

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What Happens to Your Data When You Die?

Paul Francis
Jul 22, 2025
4 min read

We spend years building our online lives. But what happens to all that data when we die?

From photo albums stored in the cloud to emails, passwords and social media profiles, our digital presence often continues long after we’ve gone. While most of us make plans for our possessions and property, few consider what should happen to our online accounts.

And yet, in an age where identity is as much virtual as it is physical, the question is becoming harder to ignore.

Digital woman with glowing blue lines on her face, set against a blurred background. The mood is futuristic and serene.

A digital footprint that doesn't fade

According to a 2023 report by NordPass, the average internet user now has over 100 online accounts. These include everything from banking apps and cloud storage to dating profiles, shopping sites, and social media platforms.

Many of these accounts hold personal information, private conversations, or payment details. In some cases, they contain cherished memories, such as photos, voice notes or videos. But once someone dies, accessing these accounts can be far from straightforward.

In many cases, family members find themselves locked out, unsure of what data is stored, how to retrieve it, or whether they are even legally allowed to.

What the big platforms say

Some tech companies have introduced tools to help users manage their digital legacy.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, allows users to nominate a "legacy contact". This is someone who can look after a memorialised profile, add tribute posts and update the cover photo. However, they cannot log in as the user or read private messages. If no legacy contact is set, family members can request the account be deleted or turned into a memorial page, but they will need to provide proof of death.

Colorful fabric patches with various logos and symbols, with the word "Google" prominently featured in multicolored letters.

Google offers an “Inactive Account Manager”, which lets users choose what happens if they stop using their account for a set period of time. They can select up to ten trusted contacts who will be notified, and decide whether their emails, documents and photos are shared or deleted.

Apple, meanwhile, introduced a Digital Legacy feature in iOS 15.2, which allows people to designate up to five individuals who can access their iCloud data after death. However, they will still need a copy of the death certificate and an access key to unlock the account.

Not all platforms offer such options. For smaller services, or accounts that are not covered by legacy tools, the process can be time-consuming and inconsistent.

What the law says

In the UK, digital assets are not yet clearly defined in law. According to the Law Society, there is no legal requirement to include digital possessions in a will, but doing so is strongly advised.

Some items, such as cryptocurrency wallets or digital art, are considered property and can be passed on. Others, like email accounts or social media profiles, are often treated as licences that expire on death. This can make it harder for families to retrieve content or gain access.

Different companies also have different terms of service. In some cases, accounts are considered non-transferable. In others, they can be managed by an executor if proper documentation is provided.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) recommends that people plan ahead and consider how their personal data will be handled in the event of death. But there is currently no single UK law that governs digital inheritance, and calls for reform are growing.

Enter the digital will

To avoid confusion, experts are increasingly advising people to create a digital will. This can be a standalone document or part of a traditional will, and should include a list of key accounts, where to find them, and who should have access.

Password managers like LastPass and 1Password offer emergency access features that allow trusted contacts to retrieve information if needed. It is also possible to store login details securely with a solicitor or notary.

“Leaving behind an up-to-date digital will can save loved ones a great deal of stress,” says Nicola Plant, a private client solicitor at Thomson Snell & Passmore. “It ensures that your wishes are clear and your accounts are dealt with appropriately.”

Digital wills are especially important for business owners, influencers, and people who hold assets online. However, they are becoming more common among the general public, particularly among those who store family photos, creative work or important correspondence in the cloud.

Ethical dilemmas

Beyond the legal and practical challenges, there are also ethical questions to consider.

Should companies be allowed to use someone’s data for marketing purposes after they die? Should AI chatbots be trained on personal messages or voice recordings? And who gets the final say over how someone is remembered online?

A wooden gavel on a table beside a smartphone symbolizes technology and law. The setting is simple, with a focus on the objects.

In 2020, Microsoft filed a patent for technology that could create a chatbot based on a person’s digital history. Although it was never released, it sparked debate over whether we are heading towards digital reincarnation.

For some, the idea of a digital memorial is comforting. For others, it raises concerns about consent, privacy and the risk of exploitation.

What you can do now

Preparing for your digital afterlife does not have to be complicated. Experts recommend the following steps:

Keep a secure list of your major accounts and passwords, and store it safely.
Use built-in legacy features on platforms like Facebook, Google and Apple.
Name a digital executor in your will, if possible.
Speak to your family or solicitor about your wishes.

It might not be a conversation many of us are keen to have, but as our lives become increasingly digital, planning ahead is one way to make life easier for those we leave behind.

After all, your digital footprint could become part of your legacy.

Whether you want to be remembered through a carefully managed memorial page or prefer to vanish into the data void, the decision is best made while you’re still around to make it.