Artemis II Astronauts Break Apollo 13 Distance Record on Moon Flyby
Key Takeaways
- Artemis II reached 252,756 miles from Earth, breaking Apollo 13's distance record by ~4,000 miles.
- Seven-hour lunar flyby of the Moon's far side; NASA released Earthset and solar eclipse images.
- Orion spacecraft carried a four-person crew on Artemis II.
Historic Moon Flyby
The Artemis II crew performed a lunar flyby that brought humans farther from Earth than ever before.
They came within 4,067 miles of the moon and reached 252,756 miles from Earth, breaking Apollo 13's record.
The flyby lasted seven hours with communication blackouts for 40 minutes.
The crew experienced a nearly hour-long solar eclipse revealing the sun's corona.
Scientific Observations
The astronauts took roughly 10,000 photos documenting surface features and phenomena.
They observed six meteoroid impact flashes on the darkened lunar surface.
The Orientale Basin was identified, one of the moon’s youngest large impact craters never before seen by humans.
The crew suggested naming two small craters Integrity and Carroll.
Global Interest
Artemis II was the first crewed moon mission in 54 years.
Buzz Aldrin watched coverage of the SLS rocket launch.
Public anticipation mounted as the crew prepared to return home.
The mission paves the way for a lunar landing planned for 2028 at the earliest.
Technical Challenges
The crew managed challenges including limitations on toilet use due to vent issues.
The toilet remained operational but usage was limited while clearing blockages.
Only about 40% of food had been consumed by Day 7 of the 10-day mission.
The mission's success despite hurdles underscored NASA's adaptability.
More on Technology and Science
Apple's Foldable iPhone Faces Engineering Snags but Retains September Launch
10 sources compared
Google Chrome Launches Vertical Tabs and Immersive Reading Mode
16 sources compared
Artemis II Astronauts Break Distance Record, Propose Naming Lunar Craters
10 sources compared
Artemis II Crew Completes Historic Lunar Flyby, Sets Distance Record
15 sources compared