The Artemis 2 crew is nearing the moon as they enter the fifth day of their mission, catching their first glimpse of the far side of the lunar surface.
Waking up on Flight Day 5, marking the halfway point of their 10-day journey, the astronauts were thrilled to witness the far side of the moon for the first time.
NASA astronaut Christina Koch described the view as “absolutely spectacular,” while Artemis 2 pilot Victor Glover shared a poignant Easter message, emphasizing unity and resilience.
Excited about observing the dark side of the Moon, Koch noted the unique perspective it offers, with the darker regions appearing differently than expected. The crew confirmed their lunar positioning, affirming their sighting of the dark side.
The four astronauts are on course to set a record as the farthest humans from Earth in history, with the mission progressing towards its lunar destination. Despite some technical challenges, including reports of odors from the spacecraft’s toilet, the crew remains focused on their journey.
Planned to reach the farthest point on day six, the spacecraft will loop around the moon’s far side before returning towards Earth, positioning the astronauts approximately 4,600 miles beyond the lunar surface – a significant milestone in space exploration.
NASA astronauts Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will complete a swift journey around the Moon in the Orion capsule, culminating in a direct return to Earth. This mission marks the first crewed lunar visit since Apollo 17 in 1972.
During their journey, the Orion module will experience a communication blackout for around 50 minutes as it ventures approximately 4,600 miles beyond the far side of the Moon.
The Artemis mission is scheduled to conclude on flight day 10, with a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean, where Navy recovery vessels will be stationed off the coast of San Diego.