Artemis II Crew Prepares for Historic Lunar Flyby
The Artemis II mission is set to surpass Apollo 13's distance record, offering unprecedented views of the Moon's far side and a rare solar eclipse.
NASA's Artemis II mission, launched on April 1, 2026, is poised to break Apollo 13's 1970 distance record by approximately 4,000 miles. The crew, comprising NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, is on a 10-day journey that includes a lunar flyby without landing.
During the flyby, the astronauts will capture images of the Moon's far side, including regions like the Orientale Basin, which have remained unseen by previous missions. The timing of the mission also allows the crew to witness a total solar eclipse from space, providing a unique opportunity to observe the Sun's corona.
As Orion passes behind the Moon, a communication blackout of approximately 40 minutes is expected, a standard occurrence during such maneuvers. Following the flyby, the crew will embark on a four-day return journey, aiming for a Pacific Ocean splashdown near San Diego on April 10.
Artemis II marks a significant milestone in NASA's Artemis program, laying the groundwork for future missions that aim to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and eventually venture to Mars.
