By Ginika Igboke
Humanity has now traveled farther from Earth than ever before, as the crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission pushed beyond previous limits during their journey around the moon.
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, flew their Orion spacecraft Integrity past the long-standing record of 248,655 miles from Earth—set by Apollo 13 nearly 56 years ago—at about 1:57 p.m. ET on April 6.
“As we surpass the furthest distance humans have ever traveled from Planet Earth, we do so in honor of the extraordinary efforts of those who came before us,” Hansen said. “But more importantly, we challenge future generations to ensure this record does not stand for long.”
Record-Breaking Distance and Lunar Flyby
Later that day, at approximately 7:05 p.m. ET, Artemis II reached a peak distance of 252,756 miles from Earth. Just minutes earlier, the spacecraft made its closest approach to the moon, passing within about 4,000 miles of the lunar surface. From the capsule windows, the moon appeared roughly the size of a basketball held at arm’s length.
These milestones came after the crew passed behind the moon, entering a planned communications blackout lasting about 40 minutes.
Launched on April 1, Artemis II’s trajectory allowed it to exceed the Apollo 13 record, though mission planners emphasized that breaking the record was coincidental and not a primary objective.
First Crewed Lunar Flyby Since 1972
Shortly after surpassing the record, the astronauts began the first crewed lunar flyby in more than five decades. To enhance visibility, they darkened the spacecraft interior and covered windows to reduce glare.
Working in pairs, the crew conducted detailed observations and photography. Wiseman and Hansen initially handled imaging duties, while Glover and Koch relayed real-time observations to NASA’s lunar science team in Houston. The pairs later switched roles.
The astronauts documented the moon’s surface in remarkable detail, noting variations in color, texture, brightness, and reflectivity. As their eyes adjusted, they reported seeing shades of brown, green, white, and gray across the lunar terrain.
Observations of Key Lunar Landmarks
At the request of scientists, the crew studied several notable features on both the near and far sides of the moon, including Copernicus Crater, Ohm Crater, the Aristarchus Plateau, Grimaldi Crater, and the vast Hertzsprung Basin.
During the communications blackout on the far side, they continued recording observations and capturing images, searching for new impact sites and signs of lunar dust movement.
They also achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first humans to observe the full Orientale Basin on the moon’s far side directly, describing it as a breathtaking and massive structure.
One astronaut focused on the “terminator”—the boundary between light and darkness—highlighting how extreme contrasts revealed sharp topographical details.
Following the far-side pass, the crew witnessed an Earthrise and later observed a solar eclipse.
Naming Lunar Features
During the mission, the astronauts identified two previously unnamed craters and proposed names for them.
One crater on the far side, located between the Orientale Basin and Ohm Crater, was suggested to be named “Integrity,” after their spacecraft.
Another bright crater on the near side was proposed to be named “Carroll,” in memory of Wiseman’s late wife, who passed away in 2020. The moment was deeply emotional for the crew, who shared a close bond.
Entering Lunar Orbit and Honoring Apollo Legacy
The spacecraft entered the moon’s gravitational influence at approximately 12:37 a.m. on April 6.
As the crew prepared to rest, they noted that the moon now appeared larger than Earth through their windows.
Upon waking, they heard a recorded message from Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell, who had flown on both Apollo 8 and Apollo 13.
“Welcome to my old neighborhood,” he said, reflecting on humanity’s first close-up view of the moon and the inspiration it provided to people around the world. He encouraged the Artemis II crew to carry forward the legacy of exploration and help pave the way for future missions to Mars.
Lovell, who died on Aug. 7, 2025, at age 97, also reminded the astronauts to take time to appreciate the view despite their demanding schedule.
Journey Home Underway
After emerging from behind the moon and reestablishing communication with Mission Control, Artemis II began its return journey to Earth.
The mission is expected to conclude with reentry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean just before 8 p.m. ET on April 10, marking the end of a historic deep-space test flight.
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