Artemis II: Moon Flyby today. Astronauts share pictures showing far side of the Moon

In a landmark moment for space exploration, NASA’s Artemis II mission has successfully completed its lunar flyby , offering astronauts and scientists unprecedented views of the far side of the Moon . The mission, launched on April 1, 2026, marks the first crewed journey beyond the Moon in over five decades , signalling a powerful return to deep-space exploration since the Apollo era.

Aboard the Orion spacecraft , astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen flew within 4,000–6,000 miles of the lunar surface. Over several hours, they closely observed and photographed regions of the Moon that remain hidden from Earth due to tidal locking. Their trajectory allowed a wide and illuminated perspective, revealing rugged highlands, deep craters, and the massive Orientale Basin , one of the Moon’s most prominent geological structures.

The crew shared stunning images from the flyby, including dramatic shadow contrasts, ancient impact formations, and rare views of the lunar south pole a key target for future missions. A standout moment was a striking “Earthrise” , echoing the iconic Apollo 8 image, with Earth appearing as a small, glowing sphere above the Moon’s horizon.

During the mission, the astronauts also set a new milestone by traveling approximately 252,760 miles from Earth , surpassing the record set during Apollo 13 . As Orion passed behind the Moon, a planned communication blackout briefly disconnected the crew from Earth, highlighting the challenges of deep-space travel.

Beyond its visual spectacle, Artemis II serves as a critical test mission for future exploration. The data collected will directly support NASA’s goal of returning humans to the Moon by 2028 and establishing a sustainable presence. As Orion begins its return journey, the mission stands as a bold step toward humanity’s next frontier Mars and beyond.