Artemis II Mission Reaches Key Milestone Near The Moon

The new record for human spaceflight distance exists because the spacecraft reached 406773 kilometers from Earth. The Apollo 13 mission from 1970 set a previous distance record which the current mission now surpasses. The new distance exceeds that record by about 2,500 kilometers.

Lunar Flyby Maneuver and Planned Path

  • The mission will now perform the Lunar Flyby maneuver. The Orion spacecraft will approach the Moon before traveling beyond its orbit during this phase.
  • The spacecraft will travel about 6,400 kilometers past the Moon Astronauts will capture images of the Moon’s far side This side is not visible from Earth
  • The spacecraft will start its homeward flight after completing the flyby.

Return to Earth

  • The Orion spacecraft will return to Earth after completing its lunar orbit. The mission team expects a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on the 10th of this month.
  • This phase marks a key step in NASA’s Artemis program which aims to support future human missions to the Moon.