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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 Mission to Surpass Apollo 13's Distance Record with Historic Moon Flyby

NASA's Artemis II Mission to Surpass Apollo 13's Distance Record with Historic Moon Flyby

NASA's Artemis II mission is set to achieve a significant milestone as its crew prepares for a historic lunar flyby. The mission, which marks the first crewed flight of NASA's Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft, aims to test critical systems for future deep-space exploration. The four-person crew, consisting of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will travel farther from Earth than any humans have in over 50 years. The mission's trajectory will take them on a figure-eight path around the moon, similar to the Apollo 13 mission, but will exceed the previous distance record by over 4,100 miles. This mission is a crucial step in NASA's long-term goal of establishing a sustained human presence on the moon and preparing for future Mars missions.
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NASA's Artemis II Captures Unseen Lunar Basin, Marking Historic Observation

NASA's Artemis II Captures Unseen Lunar Basin, Marking Historic Observation

NASA's Artemis II mission has captured new images of the moon, revealing the Orientale basin, a region never before observed by human eyes. The images were taken by the Artemis II astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, showcasing both the moon and the interior of the spacecraft. The Orientale basin, a 600-mile-wide crater, represents a transition region between the near and far sides of the moon. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first time this lunar region has been seen by humans, previously only observed by robotic imagers. The mission, which is part of NASA's efforts to send humans into deep space for the first time in over five decades, continues to provide stunning views of both the moon and Earth.
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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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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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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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NASA's Artemis II Crew Captures Iconic Photo of Earth from Space

NASA's Artemis II Crew Captures Iconic Photo of Earth from Space

NASA's Artemis II mission has achieved a significant milestone by capturing a photo of Earth from a distance that allows the entire globe to fit within the frame. This marks the first time such a photo has been taken since the Apollo Program over five decades ago. The image was taken by NASA astronaut and Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman through a window of the Orion spacecraft. The photo, taken after Orion completed its Lunar injection burn, shows two polar aurorae and zodiacal light. As of April 2, the Artemis II crew was flying over Earth at approximately 74,000 kilometers, which is about 184 times higher than the orbit of the International Space Station. The Artemis II mission is the first crewed mission to fly on NASA's Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft, making a looped trip around the Moon and back. This mission is the first crewed journey to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.
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NASA's Artemis II Mission: Trajectory Correction Burn Update

NASA's Artemis II Mission: Trajectory Correction Burn Update

NASA's Artemis II mission continues as the Orion spacecraft, carrying a crew of four astronauts, is on a precise trajectory to fly by the moon. Flight controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston decided to cancel the first planned outbound trajectory correction burn, as the spacecraft is already on the correct flight path. This burn was one of three planned adjustments to fine-tune the spacecraft's velocity and trajectory. The mission is part of NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon and establish a sustainable presence there.
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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.
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Artemis II Astronauts Capture Stunning Earth Images En Route to Moon

Artemis II Astronauts Capture Stunning Earth Images En Route to Moon

The Artemis II mission, marking the first astronaut moonshot in over 50 years, has released its first images of Earth as the crew heads towards the moon. The images, captured by NASA astronaut and mission commander Reid Wiseman, showcase the Earth's vibrant blue hue, complete with swirling clouds and a visible aurora. The mission, which includes three American astronauts and one Canadian, is currently en route to the moon, having completed a critical engine burn to set their trajectory. The crew is expected to perform a lunar flyby before returning to Earth, without landing on the moon.
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GoPro Cameras Document Historic Artemis II Mission to the Moon

GoPro Cameras Document Historic Artemis II Mission to the Moon

GoPro, Inc. has announced that its cameras are being used on the Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed flight of NASA's Artemis program to lunar orbit in over 50 years. The modified GoPro cameras are mounted on the Orion spacecraft's solar array wings, capturing views of the spacecraft, Earth, and the Moon. Additionally, the four-astronaut crew is equipped with GoPro cameras to document daily life inside the spacecraft, providing a human perspective on this historic mission. The Orion spacecraft successfully launched on April 1, 2026, and the mission is part of a broader effort to return humans to the Moon.
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NASA's Artemis II Mission Departs Earth Orbit for Historic Lunar Journey

NASA's Artemis II Mission Departs Earth Orbit for Historic Lunar Journey

NASA's Artemis II mission has successfully left Earth's orbit, marking the first crewed lunar trajectory in over 53 years. The mission, launched from Kennedy Space Center, involves four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, which completed a critical engine burn to set a course for the Moon. This mission is a significant milestone in human space exploration, testing the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion capsule under deep-space conditions. The crew, consisting of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, is set to perform a lunar flyby, gathering data crucial for future missions.