08/04/2026
The moon flyby was a success.
The Artemis 2 crew has now officially turned the corner and is on their way back to Earth.
Here are the highlights from that historic window:
1. Breaking the All-Time Distance Record
At approximately 7:02 p.m. EDT yesterday, the Orion spacecraft reached its maximum distance from Earth: 252,756 miles.
This officially broke the 56-year-old record set by the crew of Apollo 13 in 1970 (248,655 miles).
Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen are now the farthest-traveled humans in history.
2. The Far Side and the Blackout
As expected, the crew entered a 40-minute communication blackout starting at 6:44 p.m. EDT as they moved behind the Moon.
During this time, they made their closest approach to the lunar surface, skimming just 4,067 miles above the craters of the far side.
When they emerged, they witnessed a spectacular "Earthrise" as our blue planet peeked back over the lunar limb, at which point Mission Control re-established contact.
3. A Unique Solar Eclipse
After clearing the Moon, the crew experienced something no humans have ever seen: a space-based solar eclipse.
Because of their specific trajectory, the Moon moved directly between the Orion spacecraft and the Sun.
For about an hour, the astronauts saw the Sun disappear behind the Moon, allowing them to study the Sun's glowing corona from a totally unique vantage point in deep space.
4. Meteoroid "Impact Flashes"
During their lunar observations, the crew reported seeing six distinct flashes of light on the darkened portion of the Moon. Scientists believe these were small meteoroids hitting the lunar surface at high speeds—data that will be vital for protecting future moon-base habitats.
What’s happening right now?
As of this morning, Tuesday, April 7, the crew has "flipped" their mission patches to signify they are Earthbound.
The Return Path: They are currently in a free-return trajectory, meaning the Moon's gravity has essentially "slung" them
