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Two weeks in isolation: The quiet routine before Artemis 2 blasts off
As NASA rolled the mega moon rocket to the launchpad Thursday night, the astronauts preparing to ride it watched the spectacle from screens in their quarantine facility.
As of Wednesday evening, the Artemis II crew — Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada's Jeremy Hansen — reported to Johnson Space Center in Houston to begin their mandatory two-week isolation.
It's a milestone moment for any space mission, but one the foursome has already experienced twice before for launch dates that came and went. Mission managers have been trying to launch the 10-day lunar voyage since February, but crews keep finding problems requiring repairs. Now they're shooting for a launch window that begins April 1.
No one yet knows whether the third quarantine is the charm for Artemis II, but the policy protects the crew and their spaceflight from being derailed by everyday germs. After all, Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen will share extremely tight quarters in a sealed spacecraft as they journey around the moon. The Orion capsule, which they've named Integrity, is about the size of a studio apartment. Even a mild virus could spread quickly among them.
"We choose to isolate the crew for 14 days before a launch because most infectious diseases take 10 to 14 days to be transferred from one person to another," said Dr. Raffi Kuyumjian, the Canadian Space Agency's flight surgeon, in a video.
SEE ALSO: NASA's Hubble telescope just saw the space version of a white whaleMedical teams test astronauts when they enter quarantine and again just before liftoff to try to catch any warning signs of illness.
If the idea of that long isolation sounds bleak, know that the quarantine rarely involves astronauts alone. Medical staff, support crews, and technicians who work closely with them often join the protective bubble so they don't pass anything on either. Family members may also join.
NASA quarantine historyAgency policies have come a long way since the Apollo era. Astronauts used to have to go into quarantine before and after returning from the moon. Those pioneers would remain isolated and monitored for 21 days after splashing down on Earth, in case they had been exposed to any microorganisms in the lunar environment.
Their Mobile Quarantine Facility was made out of a modified Airstream camper. The vehicle was carefully filtered so that it couldn't vent anything harmful into the air.
It wasn't until 1971 that NASA ended the post-flight quarantine procedures, following a recommendation from the Interagency Committee on Back Contamination.
NASA discontinued using the modified Airstream campers as post-flight quarantine facilities after Apollo 14. Credit: NASA The Artemis 2 crew quarantineA week before launch, the crew will move to group facilities at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, for the final stretch of quarantine. There they keep training but mainly focus on relaxing. They run through last checklists, sit down with flight directors for final briefings, and complete their last medical exams. They also spend what time they can with family before heading to the launchpad.
"They need to be well-rested because the mission will be very busy," Dr. Kuyumjian said.
But the quarantine is really just one layer of defense to protect crew health. The astronauts and support staff receive vaccines, such as for the flu and COVID-19, to lower the risk of those viruses boarding the spacecraft.
View this post on InstagramLaunch delays can complicate the system. If the schedule slips by a day or two, astronauts generally stay in quarantine until the new launch time. But if a mission is pushed back by several weeks or longer, they come out of quarantine and then start a fresh 14-day isolation before the next attempt.
On the rare occasions when someone has gotten sick in quarantine, it has usually involved mild respiratory infections that did not end up changing the mission. Only if the illness is serious do mission leaders consider delaying the launch or swapping astronauts.
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That's an option rarely used, though Jack Swigert is a famous example of a last-minute substitute for Apollo 13. Just three days before the mission, NASA pulled astronaut Thomas Mattingly from the mission because of his exposure to the German measles. As history would show, Mattingly never ended up getting sick — but also didn't end up on that ill-fated flight, which nearly killed the crew.
"It didn't take an awful long time for me to get rid of my hostility for doctors," Mattingly said in a 2001 oral history project interview. "They [had] done me a really good favor."
Amazon sales are notorious for these classic deals — shop early deals on Amazon devices, robot vacuums, AirPods, and more
We're gearing up for the first major Amazon sale of 2026. The Amazon Big Spring Sale kicks off on March 25, giving us the opportunity to shop the retailer's best spring deals through March 31. During a time when the price of simply breathing seems to get more expensive by the day, we're looking forward to shopping deals next week.
Amazon is notorious for offering a selection of classing deals during major sale events — sales that we see pop up every Prime Day sale. These include Amazon devices, Apple products, Ninja kitchen appliances, and plenty more.
The sale doesn't begin until March 25, but we're already seeing some nice discounts. Not everything we're hoping for is on sale quite yet (looking at you, LifeStraw). But if past sales trends hold true, we just need to be patient. In the meantime, Amazon has plenty of great classic deals on offer that are worthy of shopping ahead of the sale. Here are some of the best options to buy today.
Best Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Bundle $202.97$222.97 Save $20 Get Deal Why we like it
The standard Amazon Kindle Paperwhite with 16GB storage comes with a list price of $159.99 but during Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2025, we saw that drop to $124.99. We hope to see that sale price again next week during the Amazon Big Spring Sale event, but in the meantime, Amazon has the Kindle Paperwhite Bundle on a discount. The Paperwhite (Mashable's favorite Kindle), a plant-based leather cover, and a power adapter is on sale for $202.97, marked down from the normal price of $222.97.
The Kindle Paperwhite is the perfect spring break accessory since it's lightweight enough to pack along and it's waterproof. Plus, a single charge can last for up to 12 weeks.
Best Bluetooth tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (1st Gen, 4 pack) $63 at Amazon$99 Save $36 Get Deal Why we like it
Apple AirTags are a staple feature during Amazon sales. Will we see the first-ever discount on the second generation AirTags? We'll have to wait on that one, but for now, you can snag a four-pack of first generation Apple AirTags for only $63. That's just one cent away from matching the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon. At $63 for the bundle, each Apple Bluetooth tracker costs just $15.75. The timing for this deal couldn't be better since we're all-eyes on spring break and we're booking summer travel since airfare prices have no bounds these days.
Reconnect with Microsoft Office for just $40
TL;DR: Get eight essential apps for life with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license, now $39.97 through April 12.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $219.99Get Deal
Whether you just got a new computer or you’ve been living under a rock without Microsoft Office for a while, it’s time to spoil your PC with these eight helpful apps. This Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license gives you permanent access to all these tools for only $39.97 now through April 12.
It’s time to get reacquainted with Microsoft Office. Many of the apps in this suite are ones you’ve worked with for decades, but there are new ones you may not have tried out yet. This Microsoft Office Professional 2021 license gives your PC permanent access to all of them without monthly subscription fees, and each costs just $5.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!This license includes Word to create documents, Excel to build spreadsheets, Outlook to manage your emails, and PowerPoint to design presentations. You can also manage large databases with Access, design professional documents with Publisher, stay connected with Teams, and upgrade your note-taking with OneNote.
Don’t let the year of this edition fool you — these apps have all been redesigned. You’ll also enjoy a ribbon-based interface that makes it easy to access features, tools, and customizations. Just ensure your device is running Windows 10 or 11 before you purchase.
Snag this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license, now $39.97 through April 12.
Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
MLB 2026 streaming guide: How to watch every baseball game this season
For how beautifully simplistic baseball is as a sport, it's pretty ironic how complicated it has become to watch it on TV. Every year of the streaming era, watching live sports becomes a bit more convoluted — and 2026 is no different. This year, Major League Baseball has two new national broadcast partners, plus a new deal with ESPN. And that's on top of the already complicated streaming service lineup. Let's get into it.
If you can't fathom missing a single inning, we've got your guide to watching the 2026 MLB season, including which streamers you'll need and all of the best ways to save.
When does the 2026 MLB season start?The 2026 Major League Baseball season officially opens with a special game on Wednesday, March 25 when the New York Yankees take on the San Francisco Giants at 8:05 p.m. ET. Traditional Opening Day falls on Thursday, March 26 for the remaining 28 teams — that's the earliest scheduled traditional Opening Day in MLB history. The regular season runs through late September, with each team playing a total of 162 games.
What channels or streaming services do I need to watch baseball?In 2026, you'll need a collection of channels and/or streaming services in order to catch every game your favorite MLB team plays. But first, let's break it down into two categories: national versus local broadcasts. As you can probably guess, national broadcasts target a nationwide audience and air on major networks. Local broadcasts serve only specific, regional communities.
MLB national broadcastsMLB has added new broadcast partners for games on national TV for the 2026 season on top of the already substantial lineup from last season. In 2026, national games will air across ABC/ESPN, Fox/FS1, MLB Network, TBS, Apple TV, NBC/Peacock and Netflix. In other words, you'll need a variety of channels if you want to catch every game. It's not as straightforward as simply subscribing to a single streaming service or having cable.
ABC/ESPN — ESPN will exclusively air 30 regular season games across this year's schedule beginning on April 15. Three of those games will air on the over-the-air parent network ABC on Sundays.
Fox/FS1 — Fox and FS1 combined will air over 85 regular season games in 2026, including 23 "Baseball Night in America" Saturday primetime matchups. You'll also need these networks for the NLDS and NLCS playoff series, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
NBC/Peacock — For the first time in 25 years, MLB coverage returns to NBC, starting with an Opening Day doubleheader on March 26. The main network, combined with NBC Sports and Peacock, will air 27 primetime games and 34 afternoon games in 2026. It will be the new home to Sunday Night Baseball this season and some games will be exclusive to Peacock.
Netflix — Netflix started dabbling in sports the past couple years, starting with the NFL on Christmas Day. This year, the streamer will also be the home of three exclusive MLB events: the 2026 season opener on March 25, the Home Run Derby, and the "Field of Dreams" game on Aug. 13.
Apple TV — The home to Friday Night Baseball since 2022, Apple TV typically hosts doubleheaders on Fridays that are exclusive to the streamer with no local blackouts.
MLB Network — The league's official network airs a couple of games each week throughout the regular season.
TBS — Not only does TBS air games on Tuesdays throughout the regular season, beginning with the Yankees vs. Mariners on March 31, but it's also the home to 2026's ALDS and ALCS playoff rounds.
Local broadcasts are a whole different beast. These broadcasts only serve specific regions and air on RSNs (regional sports networks). The majority of games throughout the regular season air on these networks. To put it simply, if you're a fan of your local team and want to watch as many games as possible, you'll need access to your team's RSN. If you're a fan of a team from a different region, you'll be blacked out from watching games on that team's RSN. Instead, you'll need access to MLB.TV, which airs every out of market MLB game (more on that below). It's unnecessarily complicated, but that's the way of watching sports in 2026.
What is an RSN and which one do I need?While the NFL offers national broadcasts of most games with specific in-market choice games, the MLB, NBA, and NHL complicate things exponentially with regional sports networks (RSNs). These are basically sports-specific TV networks dedicated to a designated local market or geographic area. If you live in the same region as your favorite team, you'll need to know which RSN broadcasts your team's games. Examples include MASN+, Gotham Sports, Nationals.TV, and SNLA+. It's worth noting that with the collapse of the FanDuel Sports Network conglomerate, many teams now use MLB itself for their RSN.
Take a peek at MLB.TV's single-team packages to see if your team's RSN is included — 22 out of 30 teams are. The other eight teams have their own separate subscriptions. For a complete list of each team's RSN, see the FAQs below.
In-market vs. out-of-market gamesIf you really only care about your local team, you'll be able to tune into most games through your team's RSN since you're considered in market. Most RSNs offer direct subscriptions for you to watch online or subscriptions through MLB.TV. These vary in price from about $99 to $139 per season. Of course, these subscriptions won't include nationally broadcast games on ABC/ESPN, Fox/FS1, MLB Network, and TBS, but will include the majority of the season. You can also access RSNs through cable or a pay-TV subscription (like Fubo or DirecTV Stream) that includes your team's RSN.
If you want to watch a team that's out of market for your region (say you're an Orioles fan living on the West Coast), you don't necessarily need to know which RSN your team plays on. Instead, you'll want to opt for an MLB.TV subscription instead. MLB.TV is Major League Baseball's official streaming service. It shows almost every game of every team for the entire regular season, with the exception of your local in-market games. In other words, Orioles fans living in Baltimore won't be able to watch Orioles games on MLB.TV. Orioles fans living outside the Baltimore region will. MLB.TV costs $29.99 per month or $149.99 for the season. The league has partnered with ESPN for the next couple of seasons, so you'll subscribe to MLB.TV through ESPN starting in 2026. Already have ESPN Unlimited? You can add MLB.TV to your existing subscription for a discounted price of $134.99 per season.
TL;DR: for in-market games, you'll need an RSN subscription or a pay-TV subscription that offers your RSN. For out-of-market games, you'll need MLB.TV.
How to watch MLB games in 2026As stated before, subscribing to your team's RSN or MLB.TV is the best way to catch the most games throughout the regular season. However, there are also nationally broadcast games that your RSN won't broadcast, plus a few games on Apple TV+, Peacock, and Netflix. Watching sports in 2026 is so frustrating, y'all.
Here's a breakdown of which streaming services you'll need, how much they cost, and the best deals available to save a few bucks.
For out-of-market games: MLB.TV Opens in a new window Credit: MLB.TV MLB.TV $149.99 per season Get Deal Why we like itMLB.TV All Teams package gives you access to every out-of-market game. If you live in a different region than your favorite team, this is your best bet to getting the most bang for your buck. It will also unlock full access to MLB Network. A subscription will run you either $29.99 per month or $149.99 for the entire season, which will save you nearly $90. If you want to save a little more, you can opt for a single-team package for $129.99. Just scroll down to where it says "view single-team packages" to select your team. If you have questions about the MLB streaming service through ESPN, this FAQ page should answer them.
Most RSNs and national broadcasts: Fubo Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo Fubo 5-day free trial, then $48.99 for your first month ($73.99/month thereafter) Learn More Why we like itIf you're looking to stream your home team's games on not only their RSN but also national broadcasts, Fubo gives you the most comprehensive coverage. Be sure to double-check that your team's RSN is listed in the Fubo channel list before committing (just search on the main page). Beyond the widest RSN coverage, it also gives you access to most of the main networks for national broadcasts — ABC/ESPN, Fox/FS1, MLB Network, NBC — with the exception of TBS. For those, you can just snag an HBO Max subscription. The Pro plan usually costs $73.99 per month, but you can get your first month for only $48.99 after a five-day trial.
Other live TV streaming optionsWhile Fubo is the most comprehensive option for MLB coverage, there are also some honorable mentions:
DirecTV Stream — Choice package includes RSNs and major broadcast channels for $101/month (plus fees)
Sling TV — A la carte channel selection, starting at $29.99/month for your first month (no RSNs)
YouTube TV — Base package includes major broadcast channels for $67.99/month for 3 months after 10-day trial (no RSNs)
Hulu + Live TV — Base package includes major broadcast channels for $89.99/month after 3-day trial (no RSNs)
Once again, Apple has partnered up with the MLB to offer an exclusive doubleheader every Friday for Apple TV subscribers. The best part is there are no local broadcast restrictions. Subscribers can enjoy two marquee matchups as their Friday night ritual. If you're new to Apple TV, you'll get a free seven-day trial, then it'll cost you $12.99 per month.
Additionally, MLB games are back on NBC (Peacock) this season for the first time in over two decades. The network and its streaming platform are the new home to Sunday Night Baseball, as well as several other primetime and afternoon games in 2026. Peacock costs $10.99 per month for the Premium package.
Pro tip: Bundle Apple TV and Peacock for a double whammy. You'll pay just $14.99 ($2 more than Apple TV on its own) and get access to Friday Night Baseball and Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts.
Other streaming services you may needWhile our picks above cover a good chunk of the MLB 2026 season, there are a few other things to note. Since Fubo, our top pick for a live TV streaming service, doesn't give you access to TBS, you may also want to sign up for an HBO Max subscription. HBO Max shows live TBS broadcasts on Tuesday nights throughout the season. You'll need the ad-free standard plan to watch, which costs $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year.
Yankees fans, in particular, will also need Prime Video to stream 21 exclusive games this season (the first falling on April 8). Yes, that means even though you have the YES Network or pay for a live TV streaming service with the YES Network, these games won't be viewable. Prime Video on its own costs $8.99 per month, while a full Prime membership is $14.99 per month.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man review: Tommy Shelbys legacy is eternal
Tommy Shelby's legacy will never die, and neither will fans' love for Peaky Blinders.
Steven Knight's beloved series about the 20th-century Birmingham gangster (played by Cillian Murphy) came to an end in 2022 after six seasons of intricate schemes, cold-blooded murder, and outsmarting enemies. However, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man brings the series to an even more satisfying end, honouring its iconic characters with one last round bathed in the sounds of Fontaines D.C., mclusky, and of course, Nick Cave.
Watching Murphy ride through town on a black horse one last time, just as he did in the first ever episode of Peaky Blinders, the film draws the series to a close in an explosive, moving, and reverent manner befitting one of the most dastardly criminal minds on television.
Featured Video For You 'Peaky Blinders: An Immortal Man' is the ending Cillian Murphy and Steven Knight always wanted What is Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man about? Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, one last time. Credit: Robert Viglasky / NetflixThe final episode of Peaky Blinders takes place in 1934, and The Immortal Man jumps forward a few years into World War II, drawing us in with the Luftwaffe's shocking real-life bombing of the Birmingham Small Arms factory in 1940. (Knight told Mashable's Mark Stetson he "always wanted to finish this part of the Peaky story with a film in the Second World War.") Knight and director Tom Harper pour every last element of their production team's skills into this explosive opening sequence, with stunning tracking shots, blaring rock music, and touching moments of human connection before everything's reduced to rubble — and it really sets the high-stakes tone for this finale.
The Nazis, assisted by British ally John Beckett (a chillingly gallant Tim Roth), have plans to win the war by flooding the British economy with counterfeit currency, with the offer of war profiteering on the table for, say, local Birmingham gang leaders. Who would take up such a poisoned chalice? Only the son of the legendary Tommy Shelby, Erasmus "Duke" Shelby (a perfectly cast Barry Keoghan), whose chip on his shoulder runs deep.
Far from the front lines, Tommy now lives in solitude, haunted by grief, shame, and the memory of his lost loved ones. His quiet, domestic life runs in contrast to the underworld shenanigans he once ran, though Harper makes sure to include shots of dead birds and bloody dripping to keep Tommy's violent past close at hand. "Some king I was," he laments in self-exile. Withdrawn from society, Tommy wanders his land and visits overgrown graves, speaking of cowardice and regret. How long can he remain a recluse, especially as his son's actions move toward a darker place than he ever ventured?
Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan make for a perfectly tense father/son duo *extreme Vin Diesel voice* family Credit: Robert Viglasky / NetflixWatching Murphy revisit his iconic role is an absolute treat, as Tommy wrestles with taking up his legendary mantle once more. While Tommy's moments of classic Peaky Blinders jaw-dropping diabolical chaos are limited in the film, the scenes we do get are momentous — watching a young idiot disrespect Tommy in his own Garrison pub without knowing who the hell he's talking to does not go well. The Immortal Man really gives Murphy his "cool guys don't look at explosions" last hurrah as Tommy, with an hour and a half of the actor looking extremely impressive walking through Birmingham and the Midlands to various needle drops.
Of course, Tommy is writing his memoirs — and notably at every possible moment, including on a boat en route to a mission, which cracked me up — and Murphy seems to farewell his own character with his performance, one of mourning, reflection, and reluctant pride. Cinematographers George Steel and Ben Wilson frame the series' hero in all his chiaroscuro glory, with Murphy evoking pure torment through his stoic protagonist.
SEE ALSO: '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple': How does Cillian Murphy return as Jim?Props to the casting team for Keoghan's run as Duke, with the Saltburn actor mirroring Murphy's cold unpredictability (and flat cap) as his son. Attempting to surpass his father's legacy, Duke turns to extreme measures, evil plans, and brutality, despite the disappointment of his aunt, Ada Thorne (an excellent return from Sophie Rundle). Watching Murphy and Keoghan as father and son at loggerheads with each other, even brawling in mud surrounded by pigs, feels as raw, brutal, and steeped in family as Peaky Blinders has ever been.
Can I watch The Immortal Son if I don't watch Peaky Blinders? It's Stagg (Stephen Graham)! Credit: Robert Viglasky / NetflixIf you don't watch Peaky Blinders, I must warn you that the film comes with some major spoilers as to what happens to several main characters, so if you're planning to start the series, don't start here.
However, if you're not intending to watch Peaky Blinders in its entirety, there's enough context provided in the film's dialogue to avoid any necessary quickfire recaps. The film also makes several reveals of beloved characters like Hayden Stagg (Stephen Graham) extremely obvious in their importance, so you'll keep up on old friends, lovers, and the like — even if one of them (Rebecca Ferguson) plays the surprise twin sister card to bring back a character.
Whether you're a longtime fan or not, the legacy of Tommy Shelby and Peaky Blinders seems to transcend the episodes themselves, with The Immortal Man a worthy ending. As Shelby himself said, "I will remember everything and forget nothing."
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is streaming on Netflix March 20.
