Artemis II crew nears ‘epic lunar flyby,’ set to push deeper into space than any human before
Astronauts on the Artemis II mission are nearing the moon on flight day six, with the crew set to surpass Apollo 13’s distance record and become the most distant humans in history. The flyby promises new views of the far side of the moon never seen before by human eyes.
Artemis II crew reaches new mission milestone as history-making moon flyby nears
The Artemis II astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft reached a new mission milestone as the crew prepares to slingshot around the far side of the moon later Monday, breaking the record for how far humans have traveled from Earth.
At 12:37 a.m. Monday, Mission Control Houston confirmed the spacecraft officially entered the lunar sphere of influence at the tail end of the fifth day of space travel. It marks a major mission milestone that means the gravitational forces of the moon were now greater on the spacecraft than the pull of the Earth’s gravity.
"We are now falling to the Moon rather than rising away from Earth,” Artemis II Mission Specialist Christina Koch said from aboard the spacecraft about an hour after entering the lunar sphere of influence. “It is an amazing milestone!"
Artemis II will make its closest approach to the moon later Monday during flight day six.
NASA said it will broadcast coverage of the mission beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
Apollo 16 astronaut shares encouraging message with Artemis II crew: ‘Cheering you on’
A former Apollo 16 astronaut recorded a message for the Artemis II astronauts as the crew closes in on their lunar destination, according to NASA.
Charlie Duke, a 90-year-old former astronaut, shared an encouraging message to the crew, who are set to become the first humans to travel the farthest distance from Earth.
“On the Moon is a photo of my family,” Duke said in the message. “I pray it reminds you that we and America and all of the world are cheering you on.”
The message continued: “Thanks to you and the whole team on the ground for building on our Apollo legacy with Artemis. Godspeed and safe travels home.”
NASA said it was "fitting that they hear his words" ahead of reaching the moon.
Duke, a former U.S. Air Force officer and test pilot, piloted Apollo 16's Lunar Module in 1972. He became the 10th and youngest person to walk on the Moon.
Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Mission Specialist Christina Koch and Pilot Victor Glover and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen will take scientific observations of the moon during their lunar flyby before embarking on a four-day flight back to Earth.
Former NASA administrator highlights what Artemis II astronauts are looking for as they pass moon
A former NASA administrator on Monday weighed in on what the Artemis II astronauts may see as they make the closest approach to the moon than any human since 1972.
Jim Bridenstine told “FOX & Friends First” that the four-person crew will look to identify future moon landing sites and look for water ice at the south pole of the moon.
“The south pole of the moon is where we believe there is hundreds of millions of tons of water ice,” Bridenstine said. "Water ice is H2O, so it’s water to drink, it’s oxygen to breathe, it’s hydrogen, which is rocket fuel and energy.”
“There’s just lots of opportunity to gather observations,” he added.
Bridenstine also highlighted the mission's importance for future human space exploration and establishing a lunar base.
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