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Artemis II Mission Accomplished: Crew Re-Entry Updates, Splash down and Safe return home [Watch Videos]

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  • Artemis II launched aboard NASA’s Space Launch System, carrying four astronauts in the Orion spacecraft on a deep-space mission beyond low Earth orbit.
  • The crew conducted system checks and performed a historic lunar flyby, travelling thousands of kilometres beyond the Moon before beginning their return journey.
  • After completing a roughly 10-day mission, Orion safely re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, marking the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo.

Watch as the Artemis II crew returns to Earth, splashing down.

See visualization of plasma build up around the space craft, repelling of that heat on Integrity seat shield To splash down in pacific ocean( from timestamp 1:26:15)  in below  video posted by NASA on X.

NASA’s Artemis II mission return home details:

6:25 p.m.

NASA’s Artemis II mission is scheduled to splash down at about 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. PDT) off the coast of San Diego. After splashdown, a combined NASA and U.S. military team, will retrieve the crew and transport them by helicopter to the USS John P. Murtha. Once aboard the ship, the astronauts will undergo post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore to board an aircraft bound for NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Watch live return coverage on NASA+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Netflix, HBO Max, Discovery+, Peacock and Roku. Learn how to stream NASA content through a variety of online platforms, including social media.

7:15 p.m.

The Artemis II Crew – NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen are preparing for re-entry aboard the Orion spacecraft/NASA

7:33 p.m.

Orion’s crew and service module have separated. The crew module continues on its path towards Earth while the service module will harmlessly burn up in Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. The Artemis II return trajectory is designed to ensure any remaining debris does not pose a hazard to land, people, or shipping lanes.

7:37 p.m.

Orion performed the crew module raise burn, adjusting the spacecraft’s orientation to align its heat shield for re-entry.

7:53 p.m.

At 7:53 p.m. EDT,  The Orion spacecraft reached Earth’s atmosphere 400,000 feet above the planet’s surface, traveling 35 times the speed of sound and about 1,956 statute miles from the splashdown site. This is where the spacecraft first encounters the upper atmosphere and begins its guided descent. Shortly after, Orion is in a planned communications blackout expected to last about six minutes as plasma built around the crew capsule during heating.

8:00 p.m.

NASA has reestablished communications contact with the Artemis II crew aboard the Orion spacecraft as it returns to Earth.

8:03 p.m.

At 23,400 feet, the drogue parachutes on Orion deployed to slow and stabilize the spacecraft. Orion’s velocity drops to 479 feet per second and is .8 miles from splashdown.

8:04 p.m.

At 5,400 feet, Orion’s drogue parachutes were cut and the three main parachutes deployed, reducing velocity to less than 200 feet per second and guiding Orion on its final descent and splashdown.

8:07 p.m.

SPLASHDOWN!

NASA’s Artemis II crew in their Orion spacecraft is back on Earth. They successfully completed a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. PDT).
NASA

NASA’s Artemis II crew in their Orion spacecraft is back on Earth. They successfully completed a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. PDT).

Engineers will conduct several additional tests while Orion is in the water before powering down the spacecraft and handing it over to the recovery team aboard the USS John P. Murtha. The recovery team is on site and headed to the capsule to begin assisting the crew out of Orion.

The Orion spacecraft with the Artemis II crew inside is seen floating in the Pacific Ocean after splashing down at 8:07 p.m. EDT on April 10, 2026.
NASA

Orion has begun crew module power down, a planned post-splashdown step in which flight controllers shut down nonessential systems and transition the capsule into its recovery configuration. This reduces power demand and prepares the spacecraft for crew extraction as recovery teams move in.

8:12 p.m.

At the direction of the NASA recovery director, team members from the agency and the U.S. military now are approaching the spacecraft in inflatable boats.

Approximately an hour after splashdown, the crew will be extracted from Orion and then flown to the USS John P. Murtha. U.S. Navy helicopters will then transport them to the ship. Once aboard, the astronauts will undergo post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore to board an aircraft bound for NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

When ready, Navy divers will attach a cable, called the winch line, to Orion to pull the spacecraft into a specially designed cradle inside the ship’s well deck. Four additional tending lines will be secured to attachment points on the crew module while under tow.

Once Orion is positioned above the cradle assembly, technicians will drain the well deck and secure the capsule.

After it is secure aboard the ship, teams will return Orion to U.S. Naval Base San Diego before returning it to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for inspection. Once there, technicians will thoroughly examine the spacecraft, retrieve onboard data, remove payloads, and conduct additional post-flight checks.

9:34 p.m.

The Artemis II crew – NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen — have been safely extracted from the Orion spacecraft.

The Artemis II crew is seen on an inflatable raft, called the front porch, after exiting the spacecraft. The Artemis II mission successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at 8:07 p.m. EDT on April 10, 2026.
9:56 p.m.

The Artemis II crew has been hoisted into U.S. helicopters and are being flown to the USS John P. Murtha.

Artemis II Commander and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman is being hoisted into a U.S. military helicopter before being transported to the USS John P. Murtha.
Artemis II mission specialist and NASA astronaut Christina Koch is being hosted into a U.S. military helicopter before being flown to the USS John P. Murtha. NASA

9:58 p.m.

The Artemis II crew is safely aboard the USS John P. Murtha, where they will undergo post-mission medical evaluations in the ship’s medical bay before traveling back to shore to board a NASA aircraft bound for the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

NASA will hold a post-splashdown news conference at 10:35 p.m. EDT from the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Participants include:

  • NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya
  • Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate
  • Rick Henfling, entry flight director, Artemis II
  • Howard Hu, manager, Orion Program
  • Shawn Quinn, manager, Exploration Ground Systems Program

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Artemis II Update-26, Day 10: Crew Completes Final Burn Before Splashdown

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At 2:53 p.m. EDT, the Orion spacecraft ignited its thrusters for 8 seconds, producing a change in velocity of 4.2 feet-per-second and pushing Artemis II toward Earth. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen reviewed procedures and monitored the spacecraft’s configuration and navigation data.

The crew continues to wrap up cabin configuration for re-entry and move into their entry checklist.

Splashdown is targeted for 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. PDT) off the coast of San Diego, where NASA’s recovery team will be standing by to welcome the Artemis II crew home.

Watch live return coverage on NASA+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Netflix, HBO Max, Discovery+, Peacock and Roku, starting at 6:30 p.m. Learn how to stream NASA content through a variety of online platforms, including social media. Coverage will continue until NASA and Department of War personnel safely assist the crew out of Orion and transport them to the USS John P. Murtha.

 

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Artemis II Update-25, Day 10: Crew Sets for Final Burn, Splashdown

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The Artemis II crew — NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen — began the final phase of their journey home to the songs “Run to the Water” by Live, selected by the crew, and “Free” by Zac Brown Band, as they prepared for their third return trajectory correction burn and shifted into full re-entry and splashdown preparations. When they woke up, they were 61,326 miles from Earth.

Splashdown is targeted for 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. PDT) off the coast of San Diego, where a combined NASA and U.S. military recovery team will be standing by to welcome the Artemis II crew home.

Watch live return coverage on NASA+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Netflix, HBO Max, Discovery+, Peacock and Roku starting at 6:30 p.m. Learn how to stream NASA content through a variety of online platforms, including social media.

Final return burn sets Orion for home

The third return burn will occur at 2:53 p.m., refining Orion’s path for atmospheric entry and splashdown. During the maneuver, the spacecraft will make precise adjustments to stay on its targeted course home.

NASA’s Artemis II re-entry and splashdown timeline and streaming coverage. Splashdown is targeted for 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. PDT) off the coast of San Diego, where NASA’s recovery team will be standing by to welcome the Artemis II crew home.NASA

Artemis II splashdown timeline

A carefully timed sequence will guide Orion through the final stages of descent:

  • 7:33 p.m.: Orion’s crew module will separate from the service module, exposing its heat shield for the spacecraft’s return through Earth’s atmosphere, where it will encounter temperatures of about 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • 7:37 p.m.: Following separation, Orion will perform an 18 second crew module raise burn beginning to set the proper entry angle and align the heat shield for atmospheric interface.
  • 7:53 p.m.: When Orion reaches 400,000 feet above Earth’s surface while traveling nearly 35 times the speed of sound. The crew is expected to experience up to 3.9 Gs in the planned entry profile. This moment marks the spacecraft’s first contact with the upper atmosphere and the start of a planned six-minute communications blackout as plasma builds around the capsule.
  • 8:03 p.m.: Around 22,000 feet in altitude, the drogue parachutes will deploy, slowing and stabilizing the capsule as Orion nears splashdown.
  • 8:04 p.m.: At around 6,000 feet, the drogues will release, and the three main parachutes will deploy, reducing Orion’s speed to less than 136 mph.
  • 8:07 p.m.: Slowing to 20 mph, Orion will splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, completing the Artemis II crew’s return to Earth and a 694,481-mile journey.
  • From there, teams from NASA and the U.S. military will extract the crew from Orion and fly them via helicopter to the USS John P. Murtha.
  • Within two hours after splashdown, the crew will be extracted from Orion and flown to the USS Murtha. Recovery teams will retrieve the crew, assist them onto an inflatable raft, and then use helicopters to deliver them to the ship. Once aboard, the astronauts will undergo post‑mission medical evaluations before returning to shore where awaiting aircraft will take them to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The Artemis II mission began with the successful liftoff of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket on April 1 at 6:35 p.m. from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending the first humans toward the Moon since 1972.

During the mission, the astronauts completed a historic lunar flyby, marking humanity’s return to the vicinity of the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. Throughout the flight, the crew and teams on the ground have evaluated Orion’s systems in the deep‑space environment, including a series of tests in which astronauts directly operated and interacted with the spacecraft.

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Artemis II Update-24, Day 9: Second Return Correction Burn Complete

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Thrusters Fire To Steer Orion Home:

At 10:53 p.m. EDT, the Orion spacecraft executed a brief nine-second thruster burn, increasing its velocity by 5.3 feet per second and nudging the Artemis II crew further along their return path to Earth.

With the maneuver complete, the crew has now crossed the halfway mark on their journey home.

Temporary Signal Loss Resolved

Roughly two hours before the burn, mission teams encountered an unexpected return link loss of signal during a data rate transition, briefly disrupting the flow of communications and telemetry from the spacecraft.

Two-way contact was subsequently restored, allowing flight controllers and crew to resume preparations for the scheduled maneuver without further delay.

art002e016204 (April 6, 2026) – NASA astronaut and Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover pictured here in the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II lunar flyby. Glover and his fellow crewmates spent approximately seven hours taking turns at the Orion windows capturing science data to share with their team back on Earth. At closest approach, they came within 4,067 miles of the Moon’s surface.NASA

Re-Entry Briefings And Next Steps

Earlier in the day, officials from NASA provided additional details on re-entry and splashdown procedures during a mission status briefing.

The next key milestone—a third return trajectory correction burn—is planned for April 10 at approximately 1:53 p.m., ahead of final re-entry operations.

Splashdown Target Remains On Track

NASA continues to target splashdown at 8:07 p.m. (5:07 p.m. PDT) on Friday, April 10, off the coast of San Diego, as the Artemis II mission enters its final phase of return.

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Monitoring over deep space network before artemis II signal acquisition

Who is Dan Florez in Artemis Mission Program

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Dan Florez is one of the NASA test directors for the Exploration Ground Systems Program. The test directors are a group of 20 engineers at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida who plan and execute integrated testing for Artemis missions. Their work includes developing timelines and procedures for launch countdown, propellant loading, emergency egress, pad and launch abort scenarios, recovery operations, and more. They help lead the ground systems team in all areas of testing.

At the time of Artemis I launch, Florez and his fellow test directors had already developed the launch countdown timelines for Artemis II.

“We were really focused on loading that spacecraft with cryogenic propellants and successfully launching it. With Artemis II, we’re going to have to do all that again, but in the middle of that, we’re going to have to embed the crew timeline to get the crew safely inside the spacecraft, get all the systems checked out, and launch them into space,” Florez said. “And we have to do the same thing on the tail end through recovery. So, there’s a lot of complexities when you have the human element thrown into the operation.”

Since Artemis I, Florez has focused his work even more heavily on the human element, taking on rescue and recovery operations.

“We have to have a plan to go get to the crew if we have an abort, if we land anywhere in the world within 24 hours,” said Florez. “My role right now is to do a lot of that coordination to make sure we have all the assets and all the resources in place to get to the crew.”

When the Artemis II crew returns to Earth aboard the Orion spacecraft, Florez will be there, prepared and ready with NASA’s Landing and Recovery Team and the U.S. military.

“We have a great partnership with the military. We have the Human Spaceflight Support Office within the Air Force that support us directly for not just for recovery operations, but also for any of the rescue operations”.

Dan Florez, NASA Test Director, Exploration Ground Systems Program

Recovery operations are routinely verified and validated in what is called an underway recovery test. NASA and Navy teams board a U.S. Navy ship and travel off the coast of San Diego to test retrieving the capsule and getting the crew safely on the ship. In late February 2024, the Artemis II crew joined the recovery team’s eleventh iteration of testing called, URT-11.

“It was really great to have that perspective of having astronauts in the loop during our test operations,” said Florez. “Everywhere along the way, we got feedback from them.”

Artemis II launched at 6:35 p.m. EDT April 1, from Launch Complex 39B, sending NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on their approximately 10-day mission around the Moon.

A wave breaks inside the well deck of USS Somerset as teams work to recover the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale replica of the Orion spacecraft, as they practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. NASA/Joel Kowsky

Florez and his colleagues are prepared and ready to apply everything they tested to recover the crew.

“Watching them launch is going to be great. I’m going to be happier when they land”.

Dan Florez, NASA Test Director, Exploration Ground Systems Program

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Deep Space Network Establishes Contact With Artemis II Spacecraft

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The acquisition of the radio frequency signal from the Artemis II crewed mission to the Moon by NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) is indicated by the peak in the data signal shown below on the computer screen.

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Soon after the mission’s launch on April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT, NASA’s Near Space Network led communications with the Orion capsule. Then, communications were handed off to the DSN, marking the first time in over 50 years that the network would be communicating with a crewed spacecraft traveling through deep space.

The Space Flight Operations Facility at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California (where this photo was taken) operates the DSN, which comprises three complexes in Goldstone, California; Madrid, Spain; and Canberra, Australia. Each complex consists of several radio frequency antennas that communicate with dozens of robotic spacecraft exploring the solar system in addition to the Artemis II mission.

A graphical representation of the Deep Space Network’s radio frequency antennas indicate signal acquisition from NASA’s Artemis II mission to the Moon on April 1, 2026, inside the Space Flight Operations Facility at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Two antennas at the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex, Deep Space Station 54 and 56, can be seen communicating with Artemis II (the signals are labelled “EM2”, short for “Exploration Mission 2”; elsewhere they are labelled “ART2” for “Artemis II”).

A similar visualization can be found at DSN Now, which details all the missions that the network is communicating with 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NASA

The DSN is managed by JPL for the agency’s Space Communications and Navigation program, which is located at NASA Headquarters within the Space Operations Mission Directorate. The DSN allows missions to track, send commands to, and receive scientific data from faraway spacecraft. JPL is managed by Caltech in Pasadena, California, for NASA.

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Monitoring over deep space network before artemis II signal acquisition

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Blanca Renteria, operations chief for the Artemis Deep Space Network (DSN), monitored incoming data from the Space Flight Operations Facility at Jet Propulsion Laboratory shortly after Artemis II lifted off on April 1, 2026.

The launch took place at 6:35 p.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center, with mission control teams quickly transitioning to deep space communication support.

The Space Flight Operations Facility manages NASA’s DSN, a worldwide system consisting of three primary complexes located in Goldstone, California; Madrid, Spain; and Canberra, Australia.

Each site is equipped with multiple radio-frequency antennas that maintain continuous communication with numerous robotic missions across the solar system, alongside the crewed Artemis II spacecraft.

NASA

Backbone Of Deep Space Communication

The DSN is operated by JPL under NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation programme, based at the agency’s headquarters within the Space Operations Mission Directorate.

This network enables mission teams to track spacecraft, transmit commands, and receive scientific data across vast distances. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory itself is managed by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, on behalf of NASA.

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What’s the longstanding tradition at JPL before any launch and other major space mission events

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A Ritual Before Liftoff

A container of “lucky peanuts” was placed above workstations inside the Space Flight Operations Facility at Jet Propulsion Laboratory ahead of the Artemis II launch on April 1, 2026.

The quirky ritual—eating peanuts before major mission events—has long been observed at JPL, seen by teams as a symbol of good fortune before critical operations.

Control Centre Behind Deep Space Communication

The Space Flight Operations Facility oversees NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN), a global communication system comprising three major complexes located in Goldstone, California; Madrid, Spain; and Canberra, Australia.

Each site houses multiple radio-frequency antennas that maintain constant contact with dozens of spacecraft across the solar system, including the crewed Artemis II mission.

NASA

A Critical Link To Spacecraft

Managed by JPL under NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation programme, the DSN operates from the agency’s headquarters within the Space Operations Mission Directorate.

The network plays a vital role in tracking spacecraft, transmitting commands, and receiving scientific data from distant missions. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory itself is run by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, on behalf of NASA.

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JPL’s Mission Control Steps Up For Artemis II Deep Space Operations

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Mission Control Comes Alive In California

Inside the Space Flight Operations Facility at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Artemis II mission took center stage on April 1, 2026, moments before liftoff. The central display featured the mission patch, while adjacent screens mapped real-time activity across the agency’s Deep Space Network (DSN), with active antennas highlighted as they transmitted and received signals.

From Launch To Deep Space Communication

Shortly after launch at 6:35 p.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center, initial communications were managed through NASA’s Near Space Network.

Control was then handed over to the DSN, marking a significant milestone—the first time in more than five decades that the network was tasked with maintaining contact with a crewed spacecraft journeying through deep space.

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltec

A Global Network Tracking The Mission

The DSN, operated from the Space Flight Operations Facility, consists of three major complexes located in Goldstone, California; Madrid, Spain; and Canberra, Australia.

Each site houses multiple high-powered radio antennas, forming a global system capable of maintaining continuous communication with spacecraft across the solar system—including Artemis II.

The Backbone Of Space Communication

Managed by JPL under NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation programme at headquarters, the DSN serves as a critical link between Earth and deep-space missions.

It enables mission teams to track spacecraft, transmit commands, and receive scientific data from vast distances. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory itself is operated by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, on behalf of NASA.

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Artemis II Update-23, Day 9: Crew Prepares To Come Home

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Final Day In Orbit

On their final full day in space, the Artemis II crew began the morning with “Lonesome Drifter” by Charley Crockett as their spacecraft closed in on Earth from a distance of 147,337 miles.

Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch of NASA, along with Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency, are spending the day preparing for their scheduled return on Friday, April 10. Activities include reviewing re-entry protocols and executing a trajectory correction maneuver.

Securing The Cabin For Re-Entry

Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen are leading preparations inside the capsule, securing loose equipment, removing storage netting, and adjusting crew seating configurations for re-entry.

The crew will also assess updated weather forecasts, recovery team readiness, and the mission timeline. Simultaneously, they are reviewing post-landing procedures to ensure a smooth transition once back on Earth.

Artemis II infographic showcasing the missions entry, descent, and landing milestones. This graphic was presented by Artemis II Flight Director Rick Henfling during the mission status briefing to the media and public on April 8, 2026 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.NASA

Trajectory Correction Burn

A key maneuver is scheduled for 9:53 p.m. EDT, when Orion’s thrusters will fire for a second return trajectory correction burn.

This adjustment is designed to fine-tune the spacecraft’s path toward Earth and align it precisely for atmospheric entry. During the burn, Jeremy Hansen will oversee procedure execution and monitor navigation and propulsion systems.

Infographic featuring the Artemis II Orion lofted entry sequence. This graphic was presented by Artemis II Flight Director Rick Henfling during the mission status briefing to the media and public on April 8, 2026 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA

Countdown To Splashdown

Ground teams are making final preparations for splashdown, expected around 8:07 p.m. (5:07 p.m. PDT) on April 10 off the coast of San Diego.

The re-entry sequence will begin with the separation of Orion’s service module at approximately 7:33 p.m., followed by a final trajectory adjustment at 7:37 p.m. The spacecraft will then execute roll maneuvers and accelerate to nearly 23,864 mph before entering Earth’s atmosphere.

A communications blackout is expected at 7:53 p.m. as plasma builds up around the capsule, lasting about six minutes. During this phase, astronauts may experience forces up to 3.9 Gs.

Infographic displaying the Artemis II Orion parachute sequence. This graphic was presented by Artemis II Flight Director Rick Henfling during the mission status briefing to the media and public on April 8, 2026 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA

Parachute Deployment And Landing

After re-establishing communication, Orion will jettison its forward bay cover and deploy drogue parachutes at around 22,000 feet. Main parachutes will follow at approximately 6,000 feet, slowing the capsule for a safe ocean landing.

Ground track map displaying the Artemis II Orion parachute sequence. This graphic was presented by Artemis II Flight Director Rick Henfling during the mission status briefing to the media and public on April 8, 2026 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA

Recovery And Return To Houston

Within two hours of splashdown, the crew will be retrieved and transported to the USS John P. Murtha via helicopter.

Once aboard, astronauts will undergo initial medical evaluations before returning to shore and boarding a flight to Johnson Space Center in Houston for post-mission debriefing and recovery.

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen arriving on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Monday, April 6, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10.
NASA/Bill Ingalls

 

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Artemis II mission: LUCA and LESA support Artemis safety, success as crew prepares return journey

 

Artemis II mission: LUCA and LESA support Artemis safety, success as crew prepares return journey

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NASA’s Artemis II mission is drawing support from a pair of nearly identical control rooms in Alabama, each playing a distinct role in keeping astronauts safe and operations on track as the crew heads back to Earth, Friday, April 10.

At the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, two facilities, the Lunar Utilization Control Area (LUCA) and the Lander Engineering Support Area (LESA), are working in tandem during the mission. Both are housed within the Huntsville Operations Support Center, a hub designed to provide real-time technical and scientific support.

Though similar in appearance, the two rooms serve different purposes. LUCA focuses on science operations linked to Artemis, while LESA is geared toward engineering support, particularly for future missions that will land astronauts on the Moon.

LUCA (Lunar Utilization Control Area) at NASA Marshall is specially designed to support a wide variety of science operations on and around the Moon – and beyond. Engineers in the LUCA monitored operations for the Lunar Node-1 experiment, an autonomous navigation payload that was part of the first NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) launch on Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lunar lander in 2024. NASA Marshall flight controllers will use the LUCA again for Artemis II to monitor science operations.
NASA/Charles Beason

Officials say the flexibility of the Huntsville center allows it to adapt to evolving mission needs. The facility has previously supported programs including the Commercial Crew Program, the Space Launch System rocket and research aboard the International Space Station.

Teams operating from LUCA are currently supporting science experiments tied to deep space conditions. These include studies examining how microgravity and radiation affect the human body, including immune response and overall performance. Data gathered during Artemis II is expected to shape planning for future crewed missions beyond Earth orbit.

Support engineers will use the LESA (Lander Engineering Support Area) at NASA Marshall to monitor human landing system (HLS) for the first crewed Artemis missions.
NASA/Charles Beason

In parallel, LESA teams are monitoring Artemis II operations in real time, using the mission as a live test case to refine procedures ahead of future lunar landings. Engineers, safety specialists and flight operations experts form part of the Human Landing System Mission Insight Support Team, which will eventually play a central role in supporting lander systems during Moon missions.

The Huntsville Operations Support Center also provides a range of technical services, including spacecraft command and telemetry management, global voice communications, and live and recorded video support. It also deploys specialized software tools that enable seamless data exchange between systems located far apart, allowing teams across different locations to work in sync.

By integrating these capabilities into both LUCA and LESA, NASA enables continuous coordination between engineers, scientists and mission operators worldwide.

Artemis II, which recently carried astronauts around the Moon, is part of NASA’s broader Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface. The program is also intended to lay the groundwork for future missions to Mars, with lessons from current flights feeding directly into long-term exploration plans.

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Artemis II Update-22, Day 8: Crew conducts key tests as they begin their return journey

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Artemis II moved into another critical phase of its return journey as the crew began Flight Day 8 with a focus on testing systems and preparing for reentry.

 

Artemis II Update-21, Day 7: First Return Correction Burn Complete

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Artemis II marked a key step in its return to Earth late Tuesday, as the Orion spacecraft fired its engines to fine-tune its path home.

At 8:03 p.m. Eastern Time, Orion, named Integrity, performed its first return trajectory correction burn. The 15-second firing adjusted the spacecraft’s velocity by 1.6 feet per second, a small but critical change that aligned the crew’s course back toward Earth. NASA astronaut Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen oversaw the maneuver, reviewing procedures and closely tracking navigation and system data.

During a mission status briefing the same day, officials from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration released the first images captured during the crew’s lunar flyby, offering early visual data from the historic pass around the Moon. The agency also confirmed that the USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26) has departed port and is en route to a staging position in the Pacific Ocean, where it will support recovery operations following splashdown.

NASA said it will continue to share updates on recovery logistics and weather conditions in its daily briefings.

A live view shows the Orion spacecraft and its solar arrays as the Artemis II crew completed the mission’s first return correction burn on Flight Day 7.

With the burn complete, the crew is expected to rest before beginning a new round of flight objectives on Wednesday, April 8, focused on preparing for reentry.

Among the scheduled tasks is a test of an orthostatic intolerance garment, equipment designed to help astronauts regulate blood pressure and circulation as they transition from microgravity to Earth’s gravity. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Koch and Hansen will evaluate how effectively the garment supports cardiovascular stability during the return phase.

Later in the day, the crew will take manual control of Orion as part of a piloting demonstration. Using the spacecraft’s viewing systems, they will align with a designated target and guide Orion into a tail-to-Sun orientation while comparing its control modes.

The manual piloting test is scheduled to begin at 9:59 p.m., adding another layer of real-time data to NASA’s assessment of the spacecraft’s performance during its journey home.

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Artemis II Update-20, Day 7: ISS Crew Connects With Artemis II Astronauts Amid Busy Research Schedule

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Astronauts aboard the International Space Station spoke with the Artemis II crew on April 8 following their lunar flyby, marking a rare ship-to-ship exchange between deep space and low Earth orbit. The Artemis II crew is returning to Earth after circling the Moon, while Expedition 74 astronauts continued biomedical research and mission training aboard the station. The interaction highlighted how ongoing ISS science supports future lunar missions under NASA’s Artemis program.

For a few minutes on Tuesday, two crews separated by hundreds of thousands of miles shared the same conversation.

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) connected with their counterparts on NASA’s Artemis II mission, offering a rare moment of overlap between low Earth orbit operations and deep space travel. The call came just a day after Artemis II astronauts completed a historic lunar flyby and began their journey home.

On one side were Expedition 74 crew members Chris Williams, Jack Hathaway and Jessica Meir of NASA, along with Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency (ESA). On the other were Artemis II astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, joined by Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

The Artemis II crew is traveling aboard Orion, returning to Earth after looping around the Moon in NASA’s first crewed lunar mission in decades.

ISS and Artemis II crew exchange experiences after lunar flyby

The conversation turned quickly to comparison.

Station astronauts asked about differences between spacecraft, while Artemis II crew members described the experience of seeing the Moon up close. Christina Koch, drawing on her own time aboard the ISS, linked the two missions directly.

“Every single thing that we learned on ISS is up here,” Koch said, referring to how station-based training translates to deep space operations.

The exchange underscored a key role of the ISS within the Artemis program. The orbiting laboratory functions as a proving ground where astronauts refine procedures, test systems and adapt to long-duration spaceflight before venturing farther from Earth.

For NASA and its partners, that continuity is central. The Artemis II mission builds on lessons accumulated over years of station operations.

The Artemis II crew – (clockwise from left) Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Pilot Victor Glover – pause for a group photo with their zero gravity indicator “Rise,” inside the Orion spacecraft on their way home. Following a swing around the far side of the Moon on April 6, 2026, the crew exited the lunar sphere of influence (the point at which the Moon’s gravity has a stronger pull on Orion than the Earth’s) on April 7, and are headed back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10.

Space station biomedical research supports Artemis and future missions

While the call captured public attention, the station’s daily schedule remained anchored in research.

Crew members conducted a series of biomedical scans using the Ultrasound 3 device, focusing on how spaceflight affects the human body. Doctors on the ground monitored the scans in real time, looking for signs of blood clots that can form in leg veins and travel to the lungs.

Such risks have become a growing area of study as missions extend beyond short orbital stays. Data collected aboard the ISS feeds directly into planning for longer journeys, including missions to the Moon and eventually Mars.

Jessica Meir also contributed to the RelaxPro investigation, an ESA-sponsored study examining stress and immune responses in space. She collected saliva and hair samples that researchers will analyze on Earth for hormonal and immune markers.

The study explores whether mindfulness and meditation techniques can improve sleep quality and reduce stress during long-duration missions.

Cargo mission training and robotic systems testing on ISS

Operational training continued alongside scientific work.

Williams and Hathaway simulated the capture of the Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft using the Canadarm2 robotic system. Mission planners are targeting April 10 for the launch of the resupply mission aboard a **SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which will deliver supplies and experiments to the station.

Elsewhere, Sophie Adenot worked inside the Japanese Kibo laboratory module, setting up a compact experimental robotic arm known as TUSK. The system is being tested for precise movements at sub-millimeter levels in microgravity, a capability that could support delicate operations in future missions.

Adenot later joined fellow astronauts for emergency response simulations, rehearsing procedures designed to prepare crews for unexpected situations in orbit.

Roscosmos crew studies teamwork and fitness in orbit

Russian crew members also focused on research tied to long-duration missions.

Station commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and flight engineer Sergei Mikaev, both representing Roscosmos, participated in experiments examining team dynamics and physical conditioning in space. One study involved progressively complex computer tasks requiring cooperation, allowing researchers to observe how crews adapt to working together in confined environments.

The findings may influence crew training for future missions beyond Earth orbit.

Kud-Sverchkov later completed a monitored exercise session using an onboard cycle, while Mikaev assisted with health data collection.

Meanwhile, Andrey Fedyaev continued training with the European robotic arm inside the Nauka module, practicing both primary and backup control modes to ensure operational readiness.

The day’s activities reflected a layered mission environment.

On one level, astronauts pushed the boundaries of human spaceflight, exchanging insights between deep space and orbit. On another, they maintained a steady cadence of experiments and training that will shape future exploration.

The Artemis II crew moves farther from the Moon with each passing hour. The ISS crew remains in orbit, continuing work that helps make those journeys possible.

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Artemis II Update-19, Day 7: Crew Makes Long‑Distance Call, Prepares for Earth Return

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NASA’s Artemis II crew began their return journey to Earth on April 7 after completing a historic lunar flyby a day earlier. The crew, traveling aboard the Orion spacecraft about 236,000 miles from Earth, exited the Moon’s gravitational influence and initiated return procedures. The mission includes a call with International Space Station astronauts, scientific debriefs, and a planned trajectory correction burn to refine their path home.

The Artemis II crew woke to music and a long journey ahead.

Less than 24 hours after looping around the Moon, four astronauts aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft began the slow pivot back toward Earth. They started Flight Day 7 roughly 236,000 miles from home, still carrying the momentum of a mission that marked humanity’s first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo-era flights more than five decades ago.

The crew of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, crossed a key threshold early in the day. At 1:23 p.m. Eastern Time, Orion exited the Moon’s sphere of influence, the region where lunar gravity dominates spacecraft motion.

That transition marked a turning point. From that moment, Earth’s gravity again became the primary force shaping Orion’s path.

A quiet shift. But a decisive one.

Lunar Selfie
Midway through their lunar observation period, the Artemis II crew members – Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen – pause to turn the camera around for a selfie inside the Orion spacecraft.
Image Credit: NASA

Artemis II crew ISS call with Expedition 74 astronauts

Even as the spacecraft moved farther from the Moon, the crew maintained contact with colleagues in orbit closer to Earth.

At 2:40 p.m., Artemis II astronauts connected with crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for a scheduled 15-minute audio call. On the station were NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams, along with European astronaut Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency (ESA).

The exchange, broadcast via NASA’s official channels, offered a rare ship-to-ship moment between astronauts operating at vastly different distances from Earth.

Such interactions serve both technical and symbolic purposes. They allow crews to compare conditions, share observations, and reinforce coordination across missions that together define current human spaceflight.

Lunar flyby data and science debrief after close Moon pass

Attention quickly shifted from conversation to analysis.

At 3 p.m., the Artemis II crew joined science teams on the ground for a detailed debrief. The timing was deliberate. Mission planners wanted to capture observations while impressions from the lunar flyby remained fresh.

The April 6 flyby carried Orion around the far side of the Moon, a region not visible from Earth. During that pass, astronauts documented surface features, lighting conditions and spacecraft performance, data expected to support planning for future Artemis missions.

NASA has positioned Artemis II as a test flight. Its purpose extends beyond demonstration to refinement. Every observation feeds into subsequent missions, including planned crewed landings under the Artemis program.

Engineers and scientists are expected to analyze crew feedback alongside telemetry data in the coming weeks.

(April 6, 2026) – Captured by the Artemis II crew during their lunar flyby on April 6, 2026, this image shows the Moon fully eclipsing the Sun. From the crew’s perspective, the Moon appears large enough to completely block the Sun, creating nearly 54 minutes of totality and extending the view far beyond what is possible from Earth. The corona forms a glowing halo around the dark lunar disk, revealing details of the Sun’s outer atmosphere typically hidden by its brightness. Also visible are stars, typically too faint to see when imaging the Moon, but with the Moon in darkness stars are readily imaged. This unique vantage point provides both a striking visual and a valuable opportunity for astronauts to document and describe the corona during humanity’s return to deep space. The faint glow of the nearside of the Moon is visible in this image, having been illuminated by light reflected off the Earth. NASA

Orion return trajectory correction burn details and timing

The most critical maneuver of the day was scheduled for later.

At 9:03 p.m., Orion’s thrusters were set to ignite for the first of three planned return trajectory correction burns. These burns are designed to fine-tune the spacecraft’s path toward Earth, ensuring precise reentry conditions.

Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen were assigned to monitor spacecraft systems and oversee procedures during the maneuver. Such burns require exact timing and calibration, as even small deviations at this distance can translate into large trajectory changes closer to Earth.

NASA officials have described the return phase as a series of incremental adjustments rather than a single decisive action. Each burn builds on the last, gradually aligning Orion with its targeted splashdown corridor.

Between scheduled tasks, the crew was given staggered off-duty periods.

The downtime serves operational needs as much as personal ones. Rest cycles help maintain cognitive performance, particularly as the mission enters phases requiring sustained attention and procedural accuracy.

NASA scheduled a mission status briefing later in the day to provide updates on spacecraft systems, crew health and trajectory progress.

The Artemis II mission, part of NASA’s broader Artemis program, aims to reestablish human presence beyond low Earth orbit. Unlike earlier missions confined to orbital paths around Earth, Artemis II pushes into deep space, testing systems required for sustained lunar exploration.

Flight Day 7 marked a transition from exploration to return.

The Moon receded behind them. Earth, still distant, became the destination again.

The path home had begun.

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Water on the moon? New Study Identifies South Pole Craters As Key Ice Locations Over Billions

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An international team of scientists reported on April 7, 2026, that water on the Moon likely accumulated gradually over billions of years rather than from a single event. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, points to permanently shadowed craters near the lunar south pole as the most likely reservoirs of ice. Using data from NASA missions and simulations, researchers identified older craters as prime targets for future exploration and resource use.

For decades, scientists have known that water may exist on the Moon. What remained unclear was how it got there and why it appears unevenly spread across the surface.

A new study published April 7 in Nature Astronomy offers a clearer picture. The research suggests that lunar water did not arrive in a single dramatic event, such as a comet impact, but instead accumulated slowly over billions of years.

The study was led by Oded Aharonson of the Weizmann Institute of Science, with contributions from Paul Hayne at the University of Colorado Boulder and collaborators including Norbert Schörghofer. Their findings draw on years of observations and modeling to explain one of lunar science’s longest-standing questions.

Lunar south pole ice locations and cold traps explained

Evidence of water on the Moon has come primarily from missions led by NASA, including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Instruments aboard the spacecraft detected signals consistent with ice inside deep craters near the Moon’s south pole. These craters, known as “cold traps,” remain in permanent shadow and can preserve ice for billions of years.

Observations from the orbiter’s Lyman Alpha Mapping Project instrument indicated that ice is not evenly distributed. Some craters appear rich in ice, while others show little to none. That patchy pattern has puzzled scientists for years.

The new study attempts to explain that uneven distribution by looking back at the Moon’s geological history. The researchers combined temperature data from the orbiter’s Diviner instrument with computer simulations that reconstructed how the Moon’s orientation has shifted over time.

The Moon’s tilt relative to Earth has not always been constant. As it shifted, craters that are permanently shadowed today may once have received sunlight, while others remained dark for much longer periods. This variation appears to have influenced where ice could accumulate and persist.

“It looks like the moon’s oldest craters also have the most ice,” Hayne said, noting that this pattern suggests a slow and continuous buildup of water over as much as 3 to 3.5 billion years.

How water may have formed and accumulated on the Moon

The study does not identify a single source of lunar water, but it narrows down the likely mechanisms. Researchers ruled out the idea that most of the Moon’s water arrived in one large delivery, such as a massive comet impact.

Instead, multiple processes likely contributed over time. Volcanic activity in the Moon’s distant past may have released water from its interior. Comets and asteroids could have delivered additional water through smaller impacts. Hydrogen from the solar wind may also have reacted with oxygen in lunar soil to form water molecules.

“Through the solar wind, a constant stream of hydrogen bombards the moon, and some of that hydrogen can be converted to water on the lunar surface,” Hayne said.

The researchers found that the craters that have remained in shadow the longest are also those most likely to contain ice today. One example is Haworth Crater near the Moon’s south pole, which may have been in continuous darkness for more than 3 billion years.

These findings could guide future lunar missions. Identifying where ice is most likely to be concentrated can help scientists and engineers plan landing sites and exploration strategies.

Water on the Moon is not just a scientific curiosity. It has practical implications for long-term human exploration. Ice deposits could be mined for drinking water, breathable oxygen and even rocket fuel by separating hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

“Finding water beyond Earth in liquid and usable form is one of the most important challenges in astronomy,” Aharonson said in a statement released by his institute.

Future missions aim to confirm lunar ice deposits

The study highlights the need for direct sampling to confirm the origin and distribution of lunar water. Observational data and simulations can narrow possibilities, but they cannot fully resolve the question.

Hayne and his colleagues are working on a new instrument, the Lunar Compact Infrared Imaging System, designed to study surface ice in greater detail. The instrument is expected to be deployed near the Moon’s south pole around 2027 as part of upcoming missions.

“Ultimately, the question of the source of the moon’s water will only be solved by sample analysis,” Hayne said. “We will need to go to the moon to analyze those samples there or find ways to bring them from the moon back to Earth.”

As space agencies and private companies accelerate plans for lunar exploration, the findings provide a clearer map of where to look. The Moon’s darkest craters, once seen as inaccessible voids, are emerging as some of the most valuable real estate beyond Earth.

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Artemis II Mission Launch: NASA Sends Crew on First Moon Flyby in 50 Years

President Trump Calls Artemis II Astronauts before crew wraps up historic Lunar Flyby [Watch Videos]

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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration launched four astronauts on April 2 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard the Artemis II mission. The crew is set for a 10-day test flight around the Moon, marking the first human lunar flyby since the Apollo era. The mission aims to validate spacecraft systems and pave the way for future Moon landings and Mars exploration.

NASA’s Artemis II mission has marked humanity’s return to deep space, becoming the first crewed journey near the Moon since Apollo 17. Four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft completed a seven-hour lunar flyby, capturing detailed observations of the Moon’s far side. The crew also set a new record for the farthest distance traveled by humans, surpassing Apollo 13. During the mission, they witnessed a solar eclipse from space and observed rare meteoroid impacts on the lunar surface. The spacecraft is now on its return trajectory, while scientists analyze data collected during the flyby.

Aboard the Orion spacecraft were NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen who completed their lunar flyby, broke the Apollo 13 distance record (252,756 miles from Earth), and regained contact after passing the Moon’s far side.

US President Donald J.Trump calls the Artemis II Astronauts in space:

The White House shared video of President Trump phoning the Artemis II crew to congratulate them after breaking the human spaceflight distance record during their lunar flyby. Artemis II astronauts reached about 252,757 miles from Earth on April 6, 2026, surpassing Apollo 13’s 1970 mark of 248,655 miles by over 4,000 miles while passing the Moon’s far side.

Trump told the crew their mission paves the way for America’s return to the lunar surface, highlighting it as a historic step in U.S. space leadership.

Trump further said , “Thank you very much Jared and you are doing a fantastic job and hello very special hello to Artemis II. Today you’ve made history and made all America really proud, incredibly proud. We have a lot of things to be proud of lately, but there’s nothing like what you’re doing, circling around the moon for the first time in more than a half a century and breaking the all-time record for the farthest distance from planet Earth.

“Humans have really never seen anything quite like what you’re doing in a manned spacecraft. It’s really special. I wanted to congratulate each and every one of you. I want to personally salute and congratulate Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, and I also want to thank the entire amazing team at NASA, headed by Jared [Isaacman], who’s a very special guy, by the way. You have made this day possible, you’ve really inspired the entire world, really, everybody’s watching it”, Trump added.

And also there were few question from Trump to Artemis Crew about the mission where Trump asked “about most unforgettable part of this really historic day, and was there any difference in feel between the far side of the moon and the near side of the Moon, to which the Astronauts explained the differences due to Earth’s gravitational pull creating dramatic variations in the lunar landscapes. They described views of the Orientale crater, a solar eclipse from space, and Earthshine.

 

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Artemis II Update-17, Day 6: Lunar Flyby Updates

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Live lunar flyby updates for NASA’s Artemis II mission will be published on this page. All times are Eastern.

9:35 p.m.

The Artemis II crew has completed the mission’s lunar observation period and is now beginning the return trip home. On Tuesday, April 7, Orion will exit the lunar sphere of influence at approximately 1:25 p.m., at a distance of 41,072 miles from the Moon.

8:35 p.m. 

Artemis II is now entering a solar eclipse that will last for about an hour as Orion, the Moon and the Sun align. During this phase, the crew will see the Sun disappear behind a mostly darkened Moon.

The crew will use the opportunity to study the solar corona — the Sun’s outermost atmosphere — as it glows around the lunar edge. They also will watch for flashes of light from meteoroids striking the surface, which could offer insight into potential hazards on the Moon.

7:24 p.m.

The Artemis II crew witnessed an Earthrise as Orion emerged from behind the Moon, moments before the Deep Space Network reacquired the spacecraft’s signal and restored communications.

7:02 p.m. 

The Artemis II crew has reached the mission’s maximum distance from Earth at 252,756 miles, setting a new record for human spaceflight. This milestone places the crew 4,111 miles farther from Earth than the Apollo 13 mission in 1970.

7:00 p.m. 

Orion has reached its closest approach to the Moon at about 4,067 miles above the lunar surface. At this point, the spacecraft is traveling about 60,863 miles an hour relative to Earth, but only 3,139 miles an hour relative to the Moon.

6:44 p.m. 

“As we prepare to go out of radio communication, we’re still going to feel your love from Earth. And to all of you down there on Earth and around Earth, we love you, from the Moon. We will see you on the other side.” Victor Glover, Artemis II Pilot

Victor Glover, Artemis II Pilot

The Orion spacecraft has entered a planned communications blackout as it passes behind the Moon. For about 40 minutes, the lunar surface blocks the radio signals from NASA’s Deep Space Network on Earth needed to stay in contact with the crew.

Similar blackouts occurred during the Artemis I and Apollo missions and are expected when using an Earth-based communications system. Once Orion emerges from behind the Moon, the network will quickly reacquire the signal and restore communications with mission control.

6:41 p.m. 

As Orion traveled behind the Moon, the crew witnessed an “Earthset” — the moment Earth dropped below the lunar horizon — marking another milestone in the mission’s lunar flyby.

The Earth will re-emerge at “Earthrise” from the opposite edge of the Moon in about 40 minutes.

4:40 p.m.

A lively stream of science observations from the crew throughout the flyby has been received with grins, nods, and lots of chatter in the Science Evaluation Room, where lunar scientists are supporting the observations in mission control. The crew reported color nuances, which will help enhance scientific understandings of the Moon. Shades of browns and blues that can be picked out with human eyes can help reveal the mineral composition of a feature and its age. As crew reports are received, the science team is updating the observation plan based on their follow up questions and sending up new guidance to the crew.

2:45 p.m.

Due to last approximately seven hours, the lunar observation period is the duration of time that the crew is close enough to the Moon to make impactful science observations (4,070 miles altitude at closest approach) and the spacecraft is oriented such that the windows are pointed at the Moon.

At the beginning of the window, as Orion approaches the Moon on the near side, the side we can see from Earth, people in parts of the eastern hemisphere can view some of the same features the astronauts will observe. These include future CLPS landing site Reiner Gamma, a bright, mysterious swirl the origin of which scientists are still trying to understand, and Glushko, a bright, 27-mile-wide crater known for the white streaks that shoot out from it for up to 500 miles.

1:56 p.m. 

The Artemis II crew of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen have set the record for the farthest distance from Earth traveled by a human mission, surpassing the Apollo 13 record of 248,655 miles set in 1970.

“As we surpass the furthest distance humans have ever traveled from planet Earth, we do so in honoring the extraordinary efforts and feats of our predecessors in human space exploration. We will continue our journey even further into space before Mother Earth succeeds in pulling us back to everything that we hold dear. But we most importantly choose this moment to challenge this generation and the next to make sure this record is not long-lived.” Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Astronaut and Artemis II Mission Specialist

Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Astronaut and Artemis II Mission Specialist.
NASA Flight Director Brandon Lloyd, Capsule Communicator Amy Dill, and Command and Handling Data Officer Brandon Borter also marked a lighthearted milestone today by emailing the crew what is now assumed to be the longest person-to-person message ever sent in human history.

(Shortly after 2 p.m. EDT, the crew described two small, unnamed craters on the heavily pockmarked lunar surface. Calling down to Earth, they suggested provisional names for them. Just northwest of Orientale basin, highlighted above, is a crater they would like to name Integrity after their spacecraft and this historic mission. Just northeast of the Integrity crater, on the near and far side boundary, and sometimes visible from Earth, the crew suggested an unnamed crater be designated Carroll in honor of Reid Weisman’s late wife, Carroll Taylor Wiseman, who passed away on May 17, 2020. After this mission is complete, the crater name proposals will be formally submitted to the International Astronomical Union, an organization that governs the naming of celestial bodies and their surface features.NASA)

After breaking the record for human spaceflight, crew also took a moment to provisionally name a couple of craters on the Moon, noting they were able to see them with their naked eye.

Just northwest of Orientale basin highlighted above is a crater they would like to name Integrity after their spacecraft and this historic mission. Just northeast of Integrity, on the near and far side boundary, and sometimes visible from Earth, the crew suggested Carroll crater in honor of Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll Taylor Wiseman. After this mission is complete, the crater name proposals will be formally submitted to the International Astronomical Union, the organization that governs the naming of celestial bodies and their surface features.

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman is pictured with his late wife Carroll Taylor Wiseman.
Wiseman Family

1:30 p.m.

NASA’s lunar science officer briefed the crew on their science objectives for the upcoming lunar observation period.

On April 5, the science team sent the crew the final list of 30 lunar surface targets, including the Orientale basin, a nearly 600-mile-wide crater that straddles the Moon’s near and far sides. This 3.8-billion-year-old crater formed when a large object struck the lunar surface and retains clear evidence of that collision, including dramatic topography in its rings. The crew will study Orientale’s features up close and from multiple angles as they pass by.

Hertzsprung basin also is on the crew’s list of targets. Northwest of Orientale, it is a nearly 400-mile-wide crater on the Moon’s far side. An older ringed basin, Hertzsprung offers a unique contrast to Orientale because its features have been degraded by subsequent impacts. By comparing the topography of the two craters, the crew’s observations will help scientists gain insight into how lunar features evolve over geologic timescales.

1 p.m.

NASA’s live coverage of the Artemis II lunar flyby is underway on NASA+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, and Roku, alongside the agency’s 24/7 coverage on its YouTube channel. Learn how to stream NASA content through a variety of online platforms, including social media.

Coverage will include live views of the Moon from cameras mounted on Orion’s solar arrays. Image and view quality may vary throughout the lunar observation period due to distance from Earth, system limitations, and bandwidth across NASA’s communications network.

Note: The spacecraft will enter a planned communications blackout from 6:44 to 7:25 p.m. EDT as Orion passes behind the Moon. Spacecraft camera views will not be available during this time, but NASA’s live coverage will continue.

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The four astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission woke up  to a milestone few humans have experienced. Less than 19,000 miles from the Moon, they began final preparations for a lunar flyby that will mark humanity’s return to deep space after more than five decades.

 

Artemis II Update-14, Day 5: Crew Demos Suits, Readies for Lunar Flyby 

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Astronauts aboard Artemis II  continue their workday aboard the Orion spacecraft, testing survival suits and preparing for a lunar flyby set for Monday, April 6. The crew is set to enter the Moon’s gravitational influence just after midnight and execute a key trajectory correction burn later in the day. Final science targets, including major lunar basins, have been assigned ahead of a six-hour observation window.

Inside Orion, the workday has shifted toward final preparations for one of the mission’s defining moments.

With the Moon now close enough to begin shaping the spacecraft’s path, the four astronauts are balancing system checks with scientific planning, moving through a schedule that blends engineering discipline with observation readiness.

Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen are continuing a full evaluation of the Orion Crew Survival System suits, a system designed for worst-case scenarios in spaceflight.

Orion spacesuit testing and emergency readiness in deep space

The suit demonstration involves a complete operational sequence. Astronauts are performing leak checks, simulating seat entry, and testing how well they can move, eat, and drink while fully suited.

NASA designed the suits to function across multiple mission phases. They provide life support if cabin pressure is lost, protect crew members during launch and reentry, and support survival after splashdown in the ocean.

Engineers are using this test to understand how the suits perform over extended use in microgravity. Comfort and flexibility are critical, especially for missions that will last longer than earlier lunar programs.

The evaluation also feeds into planning for future deep space missions, where astronauts may need to rely on such systems for longer durations and under more demanding conditions.

(This photo shows the Orion spacecraft with the Moon in the distance, as captured by a camera on the tip of one of its solar array wings during flight day 2 of the mission.
NASA)

Outbound trajectory correction burn and lunar approach timing

Following the suit tests, the crew is scheduled to carry out an outbound trajectory correction burn at approximately 11:03 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

The maneuver will refine Orion’s path toward the Moon, ensuring that the spacecraft is correctly aligned for its flyby observation window. Earlier in the mission, two planned burns were canceled after flight controllers confirmed the spacecraft was already on an accurate trajectory.

Ahead of the maneuver, Koch and Hansen are reviewing procedures, with Hansen assigned to monitor navigation data and spacecraft configuration during the burn.

The mission timeline also includes a key milestone. Orion is expected to enter the Moon’s gravitational sphere of influence at about 12:41 a.m. on April 6, marking the transition from transit to direct lunar interaction.

(A screenshot of the application the Artemis II crew sees on their PCDs that guides them in the execution of the lunar science observation plan. This custom software was built by the Crew Lunar Observations Team, a subset of the Artemis II lunar science team. In this screenshot you can see Orientale basin, target number 12 circled on the bottom right of the Moon, and to its left, target number 13, Hertzsprung basin.
NASA)

Lunar flyby science targets include major impact basins

Mission control has delivered the final list of lunar observation targets, giving the crew a defined set of features to document during the flyby.

Among the most prominent is the Orientale basin, a massive impact structure nearly 600 miles wide that spans the boundary between the Moon’s near and far sides.

Formed roughly 3.8 billion years ago, the basin preserves clear evidence of a large collision, including concentric rings and dramatic surface topography. Its visibility during the flyby makes it a priority for imaging and analysis.

Another key target is the Hertzsprung basin, located northwest of Orientale on the Moon’s far side. At roughly 400 miles across, it represents an older and more degraded structure.

By comparing the two basins, astronauts will help scientists study how lunar features evolve over time. Differences in structure, erosion, and impact history offer clues about the Moon’s geological development.

The crew is expected to review these targets in detail and coordinate with mission controllers to finalize observation techniques before the flyby begins.

Final preparations inside Orion as flyby approaches

As the spacecraft moves deeper into the Moon’s gravitational influence, operations inside Orion are becoming more tightly focused.

Each task, from suit testing to trajectory adjustments, is tied directly to the upcoming flyby. The six-hour observation window will require precise timing, coordination, and execution.

The astronauts are working through final checklists, ensuring that both human and mechanical systems are ready. Cameras must be positioned, observation plans synchronized, and spacecraft orientation carefully controlled.

The mission has reached a stage where preparation outweighs transit. The spacecraft continues along a stable path, but the emphasis has shifted to how effectively the crew can carry out their objectives once they reach lunar proximity.

For the Artemis II team, the work now is less about getting to the Moon and more about what they will do when they get there.

Key moments for the lunar flyby include the following. All times are Eastern and may change based on real-time operations:

Monday, April 6

  • 12:41 a.m.: Orion enters lunar sphere of influence at 41,072 miles from the Moon.
  • 1:30 p.m.: The science officer in mission control will brief the crew on their science goals for the upcoming flyby.
  • 1:56 p.m.: The Artemis II crew is expected surpass the record previously set by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970 for the farthest humans have ever traveled from Earth.
  • 2:45 p.m.: Lunar observations begin.
  • 6:44 p.m.: Mission control expects to temporarily lose communication with the crew as the Orion spacecraft passes behind the Moon.
  • 6:45 p.m.: During “Earthset,” Earth will glide behind the Moon from Orion’s perspective.
  • 7:02 p.m.: Orion reaches its closest approach to the Moon at 4,070 miles above the surface.
  • 7:07 p.m.: Crew reach their maximum distance from Earth during the mission.
  • 7:25 p.m.: “Earthrise” marks Earth coming back into view on the opposite edge of the Moon.
  • 7:25 p.m.: NASA’s Mission Control Center should re -acquire communication with the astronauts.
  • 8:35-9:32 p.m.: During a solar eclipse, the Sun will pass behind the Moon from the crew’s perspective.
  • 9:20 p.m.: Lunar observations conclude.

Tuesday, April 7

  • 1:25 p.m.: Orion exits the lunar sphere of influence at 41,072 miles from the Moon.

During the flyby, the spacecraft will break the record for the farthest distance from Earth traveled by any human mission, surpassing the mark set by Apollo 13 in April 1970 during its emergency return to Earth. The spacecraft is expected to break the record at 1:56 p.m. and will reach its maximum distance at 7:07 p.m., a total of 252,760 miles from Earth; Apollo 13 reached 248,655 miles from Earth.

When Orion passes behind the Moon, the mission will enter a planned communications blackout of about 40 minutes as the lunar surface blocks the radio signals needed for the Deep Space Network to connect with the spacecraft. Similar blackouts occurred during the Artemis I and Apollo missions and are expected with an Earth-based communications infrastructure. Once Orion reemerges, the network will quickly reacquire its signal and restore contact with mission control.

Also Read:

Artemis II Update-12, Day 4: Astronauts Hand-Fly Orion, Sharpen Lunar Flyby Plan in Deep Space

Artemis II Update-11, Day 4: Crew Enters Deep Space, Lunar Flyby Prep