The Orion spacecraft of Artemis II made history by breaking the record for the farthest humans have traveled from Earth at 1:57 p.m. ET. The crew lost contact with mission control for about 40 minutes around 6:44 p.m. ET as the spacecraft passed behind the moon. By 7 p.m. ET, the crew witnessed parts of the moon’s far side with the naked eye, marking a significant milestone. The spacecraft entered an eclipse at approximately 8:32 p.m. ET, experiencing an hour of the sun behind the moon.
At 9:35 p.m. ET, the lunar flyby observation period concluded, and the crew began transferring images to NASA’s ground team as they prepared to return home. The astronauts were awe-struck by the views during the total solar eclipse, with Pilot Victor Glover expressing difficulty in describing the breathtaking experience. Commander Reid Wiseman described the sights as “absolutely spectacular” and “surreal,” highlighting the unique perspective from space.
During the mission, the crew reported witnessing meteors striking the moon, observing intricate details on the lunar surface, and glimpsing Mars, Venus, and Saturn from a distance. The spacecraft set a new distance record by surpassing the mark set by Apollo 13 in 1970, reaching 406,771 kilometers from Earth. The crew is now heading back to Earth, with a scheduled landing on Friday.
After regaining contact with mission control, Mission Specialist Christina Koch expressed joy in reconnecting with Earth and shared aspirations for future space explorations. The astronauts proposed naming two lunar craters, Integrity and Carroll, symbolizing their journey and honoring Wiseman’s late wife. The crew, comprising Wiseman, Hansen, Koch, and Glover, is expected to return to Earth after a four-day journey, culminating their groundbreaking mission.
As the Artemis II crew embarks on their return journey, they carry with them the legacy of Apollo missions and the spirit of exploration. Their observations and data collection during the lunar flyby promise valuable insights for future missions. The crew’s unprecedented experiences and milestones mark a significant advancement in space exploration, inspiring generations to come.
