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Artemis II astronauts see Moon's far side basin
6 Apr
Summary
- Artemis II astronauts achieved a first human view of the Orientale basin.
- The Orientale basin is a 930 km impact crater on the Moon's far side.
- The Orion spacecraft is currently en route to the Moon.
The Artemis II mission is currently en route to the Moon, with four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft. As of April 6, 2026, the crew has achieved a historic first: capturing the Orientale basin with human eyes. This immense 930 km impact crater, located on the Moon's far side, is a testament to an asteroid impact that occurred 3.8 billion years ago.
The Orientale basin, characterized by its three distinctive concentric rings, is a stunning geological formation. Its visibility marks a significant moment, as the far side of the Moon has historically been hidden from Earth's direct view due to tidal locking. The mission is providing unprecedented human perspectives on lunar topography.
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen are part of this pioneering crew. The Orion spacecraft's journey also positions the astronauts further from Earth than from the Moon. The mission's lunar flyby, including views of the Orientale basin, is being livestreamed for public viewing.
