HOUSTON — The Artemis II crew completed a historic seven-hour lunar flyby on April 6, 2026, marking humanity’s first return to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972 and setting a new record for the farthest distance traveled by humans from Earth.
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, conducted detailed observations of lunar geologic features from aboard the Orion spacecraft. The flyby brought the crew within about 4,067 miles of the lunar surface at closest approach.
Credit: NASA
Credit: NASA
Credit: NASA
The crew woke on April 6 to the song “Good Morning” by Mandisa and TobyMac and a pre-recorded message from Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell, who died in 2025. Lovell said, “Hello, Artemis II! This is Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell. Welcome to my old neighborhood!” He added, “I’m proud to pass that torch on to you — as you swing around the Moon and lay the groundwork for missions to Mars … for the benefit of all. … So, Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy … good luck and Godspeed from all of us here on the good Earth.”
At 1:56 p.m. EDT, the crew surpassed the Apollo 13 record of 248,655 miles from Earth. They reached a maximum distance of 252,756 miles at 7:07 p.m. EDT, setting the new human spaceflight record.
Lunar observations began at about 2:45 p.m. EDT. The crew studied targets including the Orientale basin, a nearly 600-mile-wide crater, and the Hertzsprung basin. They reported color nuances in shades of browns and blues that help scientists understand mineral composition and age of features.
At 6:44 p.m. EDT, Orion passed behind the Moon, entering a planned 40-minute communications blackout. During this period, the crew witnessed “Earthset” as Earth dropped below the lunar horizon. Closest approach occurred around 7:00 p.m. EDT at approximately 4,067 miles above the surface. The spacecraft was traveling about 60,863 miles per hour relative to Earth but only 3,139 miles per hour relative to the Moon.
Communications resumed at about 7:25 p.m. EDT with “Earthrise” as Earth reappeared. Pilot Victor Glover said during the blackout, “As we prepare to go out of radio communication, we’re still going to feel your love from Earth. And to all of you down there on Earth and around Earth, we love you, from the Moon. We will see you on the other side.”
Starting at 8:35 p.m. EDT, the crew observed a nearly hour-long solar eclipse as the Sun passed behind the Moon. They analyzed the solar corona and reported six flashes of light from meteoroids striking the lunar surface.
The observation period ended at about 9:20 p.m. EDT. By 9:35 p.m. EDT, the crew began the return journey. On April 7, Orion is scheduled to exit the lunar sphere of influence at 1:25 p.m. EDT, at a distance of 41,072 miles from the Moon.
The crew provisionally named two craters: “Integrity” after the spacecraft and mission, and “Carroll” in honor of Commander Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll Taylor Wiseman. Proposals will go to the International Astronomical Union after the mission.
Mission Control received a lively stream of science reports. Scientists in the Science Evaluation Room updated observation plans in real time based on crew input. Live views from cameras on Orion’s solar arrays were broadcast, though image quality varied due to distance and bandwidth.
After the flyby, the crew spoke with President Donald J. Trump, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and answered social media questions.
Artemis II launched April 1, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center on a roughly 10-day test flight. The mission tests Orion systems in deep space ahead of future crewed lunar landings. Splashdown is planned for April 10 off San Diego.
Southern Maryland residents, like many across the nation, followed the event through NASA’s live coverage on NASA+, YouTube and major streaming platforms. The flyby advances NASA’s Artemis campaign, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface and prepare for Mars missions.
The crew’s observations will provide data on lunar features and potential hazards. Scientists will analyze images, audio and other data downlinked overnight.
This mission represents the first crewed deep-space flight in more than 50 years and the first with an international partner astronaut on a lunar trajectory.
