Image: WVTM

Artemis II Astronauts Break Distance Record, Propose Naming Lunar Craters

07 April, 2026.Technology and Science.10 sources

Key Takeaways

Artemis II surpasses Apollo 13, reaching about 252,756 miles from Earth.
Astronauts proposed naming a crater 'Carroll' for commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife.
Two newly discovered craters to be named, honoring spacecraft and Wiseman's spouse.

Record-Breaking Flight

Nasa's Artemis II crew surpassed Apollo 13's record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth.

“Moments after the crew of Artemis 2 broke the spaceflight record for the farthest humans have ever been from Earth, the crew shared an emotional moment, proposing to name a crater on the Moon after mission commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll Taylor Wiseman, who died of cancer in 2020”

Astronomy Magazine

The crew proposed naming two unnamed craters: Integrity and Carroll in honor of Commander Wiseman's late wife.

Astronomy Magazine

They were the first humans to see parts of the Moon's far side in sunlight with the naked eye.

Emotional Tributes and Discoveries

The crew witnessed a solar eclipse and sent back stunning images.

Christina Koch was struck by bright new craters that shone like pinpricks in a lampshade.

Business Insider

The emotional tribute prompted an embrace among the astronauts and a rare silence from Mission Control.

Scientific and Cultural Impact

The flyby reestablished humans in deep space after more than half a century.

“What to know about the Artemis II moon mission: - astronauts made history Monday as they took a trip around the moon and reached a maximum distance from Earth of 252,756 miles, surpassing the record set by Apollo 13 in 1970 by over 4,000 miles”