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Artemis II Crew Shatters Spaceflight Distance Record
8 Apr
Summary
- Artemis II astronauts traveled farther than any humans in history.
- New photos reveal previously unseen views of the moon's far side.
- A planned communications blackout occurred as the spacecraft passed behind the moon.
The Artemis II mission has set a new record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth, exceeding the previous mark held by Apollo 13. The four-person crew achieved this milestone during their recent 10-day mission.
During their journey, the astronauts obtained unique, never-before-seen images of the far side of the moon. This region, often called the 'dark side,' is not actually dark but is perpetually hidden from Earth due to the moon's synchronous rotation. These new photographs offer insights into its craters and surface features.
A notable event during the mission was a planned 40-minute communications blackout. This occurred as the Orion spacecraft traveled behind the moon, temporarily blocking signals to Earth via the Deep Space Network. Similar blackouts have occurred on previous missions, including Apollo and Artemis I.
Beyond the records and imagery, the Artemis II crew also proposed names for lunar craters they observed. They suggested naming one crater 'Carroll' in memory of a loved one lost by a crew member, and another 'Integrity' after their spacecraft. These suggestions will be submitted for consideration by the International Astronomical Union.
