Artemis II Crew Shares Stunning Earth Images During Lunar Mission
NASA's Artemis II mission has released remarkable images of Earth captured by the Orion spacecraft as it journeys toward the Moon.
NASA's Artemis II mission has unveiled striking images of Earth, captured from the Orion spacecraft as it embarks on a historic journey toward the Moon. The photographs, taken by Commander Reid Wiseman, showcase the planet's vibrant blues and greens, with visible auroras over the poles.
The mission, launched on April 1, 2026, marks the first crewed lunar voyage since 1972. The four-person crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen—are on a 10-day mission to orbit the Moon and return to Earth.
As of Friday, the crew had traveled over 110,000 miles from Earth, with approximately 150,000 miles remaining before reaching lunar proximity. They are expected to perform a flyby without landing before returning to Earth.
NASA official Lakiesha Hawkins praised the photographs taken by Commander Wiseman, calling them "amazing" during a briefing on Friday.
The Artemis II mission is a critical step in NASA's broader goals of returning humans to the Moon and eventually reaching Mars.
