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NASA's Artemis II Crew Faces Radio Silence During Historic Lunar Flyby

NASA's Artemis II Crew Faces Radio Silence During Historic Lunar Flyby

NASA's Artemis II mission is currently underway, with the crew experiencing a significant milestone as they enter a period of radio silence while passing behind the Moon. This event, scheduled for Monday, April 6, involves the four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft losing contact with Earth for approximately 40 minutes. During this time, the Moon will block radio signals, making communication with NASA's Mission Control impossible. The crew will be observing both the near and far sides of the Moon, potentially becoming the first humans to see parts of the Moon's far side with the unaided eye. The closest approach to the lunar surface will occur at 7:02 p.m. ET, with the crew surpassing the distance record set by Apollo 13 in 1970. Communication is expected to be restored at 7:27 p.m. ET.
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NASA's Artemis II Crew to Experience Communication Blackout During Lunar Flyby

NASA's Artemis II Crew to Experience Communication Blackout During Lunar Flyby

NASA's Artemis II mission will experience a 40-minute communication blackout as the Orion spacecraft passes behind the Moon on April 6, 2026. During this period, the crew will be out of contact with Mission Control due to the Moon blocking radio signals. Despite the silence, the crew will achieve significant milestones, including making their closest approach to the Moon at 4,066 miles and surpassing the distance record set by Apollo 13 in 1970. The blackout is a planned event, and communication is expected to resume at 7:27 p.m. ET. The mission includes a seven-hour observation period, allowing the crew to view both the near and far sides of the Moon.
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NASA's Artemis II Crew Completes Manual Piloting Test in Deep Space

NASA's Artemis II Crew Completes Manual Piloting Test in Deep Space

NASA's Artemis II mission, currently in progress, has seen its crew successfully complete a manual piloting demonstration on the fourth day of their journey. Astronauts Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen took turns controlling the Orion spacecraft, testing its performance in deep space. The test involved two different thruster modes, providing engineers with valuable data on the spacecraft's capabilities. The crew also reviewed lunar imaging targets for their upcoming flyby of the Moon. The mission, which includes astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover, aims to gather data and imagery during a six-hour lunar flyby scheduled for April 6. The crew is set to continue their mission with further demonstrations and data collection.
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NASA's Artemis II Mission Begins Lunar Flyby as Astronauts Reach Midpoint

NASA's Artemis II Mission Begins Lunar Flyby as Astronauts Reach Midpoint

NASA's Artemis II mission is set to commence its lunar flyby on Monday afternoon. The mission marks a significant milestone as the astronauts have reached the halfway point of their journey to the moon. This six-hour lunar flyby is a critical phase in the mission, which aims to further human exploration of the moon. The Artemis II mission is part of NASA's broader Artemis program, which seeks to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon by the end of the decade. The program is a key component of NASA's long-term goals for space exploration, including future missions to Mars.
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NASA's Artemis II Crew Conducts Suit Demonstration on Day 5 of Lunar Mission

NASA's Artemis II Crew Conducts Suit Demonstration on Day 5 of Lunar Mission

On the fifth day of the Artemis II mission, the crew conducted a demonstration of their space suits as part of their journey to the Moon. This mission marks a significant milestone as it is the first time humans have seen the entire Orientale basin on the Moon. The crew is tasked with observing the basin from multiple angles during their lunar flyby. The Artemis II mission is a critical step in NASA's efforts to explore the Moon and beyond, providing valuable data and experience for future missions.
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NASA's Artemis II Crew Faces Toilet Malfunction During Moon Voyage

NASA's Artemis II Crew Faces Toilet Malfunction During Moon Voyage

The Artemis II mission, carrying four astronauts aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft, encountered a malfunction with its Universal Waste Management System, the advanced space toilet. The issue arose when a frozen urine vent line was detected, prompting the crew to use contingency bags while mission controllers worked on a solution. The problem was resolved by rotating the spacecraft to allow sunlight to thaw the blockage. Despite the inconvenience, the mission timeline remained unaffected, and the crew continued their journey towards the Moon.
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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 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 Mission Set to Surpass Apollo 13's Distance Record with Moon Flyby

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

NASA's Artemis II mission, which launched last week, is on track to break the distance record set by Apollo 13 in 1970. The mission involves three American astronauts and one Canadian, who are currently on a trajectory to swing around the moon without landing. This mission marks humanity's first trip to the moon since 1972. The Artemis II crew will surpass Apollo 13's maximum distance from Earth by over 4,100 miles, reaching a new record. During their journey, the astronauts will capture views of the moon's far side and experience a total solar eclipse, visible only from their spacecraft. The mission aims to pave the way for future lunar exploration, including the establishment of a moon base equipped with landers, rovers, and habitats.
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NASA's Artemis II Crew Enters Moon's Gravitational Sphere for First Time in 50 Years

NASA's Artemis II Crew Enters Moon's Gravitational Sphere for First Time in 50 Years

NASA's Artemis II mission has marked a significant milestone as its crew entered the Moon's gravitational sphere of influence for the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The Orion capsule, carrying astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, crossed into the lunar sphere of influence at 12:41 a.m. ET on Monday. This region is defined by the Moon's gravitational pull being stronger than Earth's. The crew has been conducting observations and capturing images of the Moon, including areas not previously seen by human eyes. The mission aims to gather scientific data and test new spacesuits designed for emergencies.
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NASA Certifies First Artemis II Science Officers for Lunar Mission

NASA Certifies First Artemis II Science Officers for Lunar Mission

NASA has certified Kelsey Young, Trevor Graff, and Angela Garcia as the first Artemis II science officers, marking a significant evolution in integrating science into human spaceflight. These officers will oversee lunar science and geology objectives during the Artemis missions, ensuring that scientific goals are seamlessly integrated into mission operations. The science officers have undergone extensive training, including simulations with astronauts, to prepare for the mission's lunar flyby. This role is a continuation of NASA's efforts to embed scientific research into space missions, building on the legacy of the Apollo program.
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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.