The crew of NASA’s Artemis II lunar mission has achieved a remarkable milestone. They have traveled farther from Earth than any other humans in history. This mission includes Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen and three Americans: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch.
Record-Breaking Distance Travelled
As of 1:57 p.m. Eastern on a recent Monday, the Artemis II astronauts set a new record. They surpassed the previous distance of 400,171 kilometers established by Apollo 13 in 1970. The Orion spacecraft is expected to reach a maximum distance of over 406,000 kilometers from Earth during its lunar flyby.
Close Encounter with the Moon
During the flyby, the Orion capsule will approach the lunar surface to within approximately 6,500 kilometers. Astronaut Jeremy Hansen remarked that from this distance, the moon would resemble a basketball held at arm’s length. The crew plans to observe and photograph key geological features on the moon.
- Impact craters
- Ancient lava flows
These observations will be supported by real-time data analysis and guidance from scientists. The team has received geology training in locations such as Labrador and Iceland. This experience will help describe the moon’s surface textures, shapes, and colors, contributing valuable data for future lunar exploration.
Exploring the Moon’s Hidden Side
The Artemis II mission promises to reveal the moon’s far side, which was largely unseen by past Apollo missions. Among features of interest is the Orientale basin—a 3.8-billion-year-old crater created by a large asteroid impact. This once-hidden region will be fully illuminated as Orion approaches it.
Mission Timeline and Splashdown Plans
After completing its lunar reconnaissance, Orion will exit the moon’s sphere of influence and return to Earth. The mission involves a figure-eight trajectory, similar to the one used by Apollo 13 to ensure a safe return without orbiting or landing on the moon. The Orion capsule is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego on April 10, nine days after its launch from Florida.
