For the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, humanity has once again set foot—or rather, a spacecraft carrying humans—near the Moon. On April 6th, the four astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission successfully executed a flight around the far side of the Moon. This journey marked the furthest humans have ever ventured from Earth.
During their orbital path, the crew surpassed the previous distance record of 400,171 kilometers, originally set by the Apollo 13 mission. Mission Commander Reid Wiseman emphasized the significance of this achievement by stating, “We most importantly choose this moment to challenge this generation and the next to make sure this record is not long-lived.” His remarks, delivered during the NASA livestream of the flight, underscored the forward-looking nature of the mission.
The Artemis astronauts also proposed names for two newly identified lunar craters: “Integrity,” named in honor of the Orion capsule that carried them on their journey, and “Carroll,” a tribute to Wiseman’s late wife.
Throughout the flyby, the crew members alternated between moments of dedicated observation at the windows to photograph and document the lunar landscape and periods spent within the Orion capsule. This allowed them to maintain ongoing communication with mission control located in Houston, Texas. The international crew comprised NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover, alongside Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
As the Orion capsule navigated behind the Moon, an unusual celestial event occurred. The Sun appeared smaller against the lunar backdrop, creating a solar eclipse phenomenon distinct from any observable on Earth. Similar to preparing for a terrestrial eclipse, the astronauts donned specialized darkened glasses to safely view the Sun. They were able to make detailed observations of its outer atmosphere, known as the corona. This unique vantage point, free from atmospheric distortion, potentially allowed them to discern finer details that are often difficult to detect from the Earth’s surface.
Beyond the solar observations, the astronauts captured numerous significant details from the Moon’s surface itself. They consistently highlighted the unexpected variety of colors present, an observation that contrasts with the predominantly gray appearance of the Moon as seen from Earth. Close-up examination revealed areas exhibiting green, brown, and even orange hues. These colors are attributed to chemical variations within the lunar rocks and dust. “It’s amazing how quickly it changes as we speed around the far side of the moon,” Jeremy Hansen remarked.
The lunar orbit provided the crew with an unprecedented view of regions that had never been directly observed by human eyes. A considerable portion of their time was dedicated to studying the terminator, the boundary between lunar day and night. This area, characterized by prominent shadows, brings the terrain into sharp relief. Victor Glover described the terminator as a place of “magic,” noting “the islands of light, the valleys that look like black holes [where] you’d fall straight to the centre of the moon if you stepped in some of those; it’s just so visually captivating.”
While observing the lunar topography at close range, the astronauts also reflected on the profound experience of imagining themselves walking on the Moon’s surface. Christina Koch shared her perspective: “The truth is, the moon really is its own body in the universe – it’s not just a poster in the sky that goes by, it is a real place.”
At its closest approach, the Orion capsule was approximately 6,545 kilometers from the lunar surface. This proximity sets the stage for future missions, with the Artemis IV mission in 2028, which is slated to include a lunar landing, representing the next opportunity for humans to get this close to the Moon.
With the lunar orbit completed, the Orion capsule has now commenced its return journey to Earth. The astronauts are expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on April 10th. Following their return, the extensive analysis of their collected notes, photographs, and scientific observations will begin. This detailed work is crucial for advancing the Artemis program towards its subsequent objectives.