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It's time for Artemis II to break Apollo 13's distance record. What to know about the moon flyby

It's time for Artemis II to break Apollo 13's distance record. What to know about the moon flyby

The Artemis II astronauts are already the champions of a fresh new era of lunar exploration
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Artemis II Shares New Images as Mission Nears Lunar Flyby

Artemis II Shares New Images as Mission Nears Lunar Flyby

NASA's Artemis II mission has released new images showcasing the moon and the interior of the Orion spacecraft as the mission progresses towards a historic lunar flyby. The images include a view of the Orientale basin, a region of the moon previously only seen by robotic imagers. The mission, which marks the first human journey into deep space in over five decades, is more than halfway to the moon. The crew has been sharing live updates and images, providing a unique glimpse into their life aboard the spacecraft. The mission's images of Earth have also captivated audiences, offering perspectives not seen since the Apollo era.
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NASA's Artemis II Mission Prepares for Scientific Observations on the Moon

NASA's Artemis II Mission Prepares for Scientific Observations on the Moon

NASA's Artemis II mission, which launched on April 1, 2026, is set to conduct significant scientific observations as it orbits the moon. The mission includes astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, who will be the first humans to see the far side of the moon while it's illuminated. The crew will conduct reconnaissance work, observing key lunar features such as the Orientale basin and other craters. These observations aim to provide new insights into the moon's geological history and inform future lunar exploration efforts.
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NASA's Artemis II Mission: Crewed Test Flight to the Moon Underway

NASA's Artemis II Mission: Crewed Test Flight to the Moon Underway

NASA has launched the first crewed test flight under its Artemis program, known as Artemis II. The mission involves four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen—aboard the Orion spacecraft. They lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 1, 2026. The mission aims to test the spacecraft's systems in a deep space environment as it travels around the Moon and back to Earth. The mission is expected to last approximately 10 days, covering a total distance of 695,081 miles. The crew will conduct various tests on the spacecraft's systems, including life-support, propulsion, and navigation, and will perform manual operations and science activities. The mission is being covered in real-time on NASA's YouTube channel, with daily status briefings from the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
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Artemis II Astronauts Conduct Key Operations in Orion Capsule

Artemis II Astronauts Conduct Key Operations in Orion Capsule

As part of the Artemis II mission, astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft are conducting critical operations in preparation for a lunar flyby. The crew, including NASA astronaut Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, is engaged in activities such as exercising, practicing medical response procedures, and testing the spacecraft's emergency communications system. These operations are essential for ensuring the mission's success and the safety of the crew as they venture further into space than any human has before.
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Artemis II Crew Advances Towards Lunar Fly-by Mission

Artemis II Crew Advances Towards Lunar Fly-by Mission

The Artemis II crew is currently progressing towards their mission to perform a lunar fly-by. This mission marks a significant milestone in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually pave the way for future exploration of Mars. The crew is more than halfway to their final destination, the Moon, as they prepare for this critical phase of their journey. The Artemis II mission is a follow-up to the uncrewed Artemis I mission, which successfully tested the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft. The crew's journey is a crucial step in testing the systems and procedures necessary for future manned lunar landings.
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NASA's Artemis II Astronauts Capture Stunning Earth Views from Lunar Mission

NASA's Artemis II Astronauts Capture Stunning Earth Views from Lunar Mission

NASA's Artemis II mission, which includes a four-astronaut crew, is currently en route to the moon, capturing and sharing breathtaking images of Earth. These images are reminiscent of the iconic 'Big Blue Marble' photograph taken by astronaut Harrison Schmitt over 50 years ago during the Apollo 17 mission. The new photographs, shared by NASA, highlight Earth's beauty and fragility, with visible auroras and zodiacal light. Astronaut Christina Koch commented on the images, saying, 'You guys look great,' while Victor Glover, the mission's pilot, expressed admiration for Earth's appearance during a video call with ABC News. The mission is part of NASA's ongoing efforts to explore lunar and deep space, with the Artemis program aiming to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon.
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NASA's Artemis II Mission Embarks on Lunar Flyby with Orion Spacecraft

NASA's Artemis II Mission Embarks on Lunar Flyby with Orion Spacecraft

NASA's Artemis II mission has successfully departed Earth orbit, marking a significant milestone as it embarks on a lunar flyby. The mission, which includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, is the first crewed mission to leave Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. The Orion spacecraft, launched by NASA's Space Launch System rocket from Kennedy Space Center, is on a 10-day test flight around the Moon. After reaching space, Orion deployed its solar array wings and transitioned into flight operations. A key translunar injection burn propelled the spacecraft out of Earth orbit towards the Moon. The mission aims to conduct a lunar flyby on April 6, where astronauts will capture high-resolution images and observations of the Moon's surface, including its far side.
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Artemis II Crew Embarks on Historic Lunar Mission After Successful Engine Burn

Artemis II Crew Embarks on Historic Lunar Mission After Successful Engine Burn

The Artemis II mission, carrying NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, has successfully executed a translunar injection burn, propelling the Orion spacecraft on a trajectory towards the Moon. This marks the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972 that humans have left Earth's orbit. The mission, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, is a significant step in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon. The spacecraft's main engine, capable of providing up to 6,000 pounds of thrust, was used to break free from Earth's orbit. The crew is also conducting exercises on the spacecraft's flywheel exercise device to maintain physical health during the mission.
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NASA's Artemis II Astronauts Capture Stunning Earth Images En Route to Moon

NASA's Artemis II Astronauts Capture Stunning Earth Images En Route to Moon

NASA's Artemis II mission, the first astronaut moonshot in over fifty years, has released its first images of Earth as the crew heads towards the moon. The images, taken by Commander Reid Wiseman, showcase the planet's beauty with swirling clouds and a visible aurora. The crew, consisting of three Americans and one Canadian, is currently 100,000 miles from Earth and is expected to reach the moon by Monday. The mission involves swinging around the moon and returning to Earth without landing, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration.
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Artemis II Astronauts Capture Images of Earth as Mission Progresses

Artemis II Astronauts Capture Images of Earth as Mission Progresses

The Artemis II mission, which is part of NASA's efforts to return humans to the moon, has reached a significant milestone as the astronauts aboard have captured images of Earth on the third day of their journey. The mission is a crucial step in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon by the end of the decade. The astronauts are now approaching the moon, marking a key phase in their mission. This mission is not only a test of the spacecraft's systems but also a demonstration of the capabilities needed for future lunar exploration.
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NASA's Artemis II Mission Launches, Aims for Moon Flyby

NASA's Artemis II Mission Launches, Aims for Moon Flyby

NASA has launched Artemis II, its first manned mission to the moon in over 50 years, on April 1, 2026. The mission, which took off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, involves a 10-day flyby of the moon using the Orion spacecraft. This mission is a significant step in NASA's plan to establish a permanent settlement on the moon. The Artemis II mission is being closely followed by the public, with many using NASA's Artemis Real-time Orbit Website (AROW) to track the spacecraft's progress. The mission tracker provides real-time data on the spacecraft's location, velocity, and distance from Earth, offering a virtual view of the mission.