The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, announced on Monday that the Artemis 2 crew has traveled further from Earth than any human in history. This historic milestone marks a significant achievement for humanity as the four astronauts pushed the boundaries of deep space exploration.
The crew surpassed the previous record set during the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission in 1970. While the Apollo 13 team reached a distance of 400,171 kilometers, the Artemis 2 astronauts pushed the record to a staggering 406,711 kilometers.
Meet the history makers on the Orion capsule
The record-breaking team consists of United States astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Reid Wiseman, alongside Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. They launched last Wednesday from the Cape Canaveral spaceport in Florida aboard the Orion spacecraft, powered by the Space Launch System rocket.
This diverse crew features Christina Koch as the first woman on a lunar mission and Victor Glover as the first non-white person. Jeremy Hansen also makes history as the first Canadian to venture this far into the lunar neighborhood.
Mind bending views from the far side of the Moon
During their journey, the astronauts became the first humans to witness parts of the far side of the moon with their own eyes. They even observed a solar eclipse from their unique vantage point as the moon passed directly in front of the sun.
Jeremy Hansen described the experience as extraordinary and mind-bending, noting the sensation of being physically transported to the lunar surface. Christina Koch expressed her delight with the mission, stating she was not yet ready to return home despite the cramped quarters.
Naming craters and honoring a lasting legacy
In a touching gesture, the crew suggested names for two previously unnamed lunar craters during their flyby. They proposed naming the first crater “Integrity” in honor of their spacecraft.
The second crater was named “Carroll” to honor the late wife of mission commander Reid Wiseman. These proposals will be formally submitted to the International Astronomical Union for official recognition once the mission concludes.
The final stretch toward a Pacific Ocean splashdown
After completing their figure-eight flight path, the crew has now entered the return phase of their 2.3 million kilometer journey. NASA officials confirmed that the spacecraft has successfully navigated the moon’s gravitational influence and is heading back to Earth.
The mission is scheduled to conclude this Friday with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman commended the team for proving that the near-impossible is still achievable through international cooperation.
