NASA's Artemis II Mission Successfully Completes Lunar Flyby
NASA's Artemis II Mission Successfully Completes Lunar Flyby
As of April 6, 2026, NASA's Artemis II mission is currently ongoing, marking a historic return of humans to the Moon for the first time since 1972.
The crew, consisting of astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, launched on April 1, 2026, and is presently conducting a lunar flyby.
This mission serves as a critical test for the Orion spacecraft in deep space.
During this phase, the crew is performing a 'figure-eight' trajectory, setting a record for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth.
They are also busy documenting surface features like the Orientale Basin and observing a unique solar eclipse from their vantage point.
After passing behind the far side of the Moon, the crew will begin their four-day return journey.
The mission is set to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026.
This is a monumental step forward for space exploration as it paves the way for future lunar surface landings.
