Artemis II Enters Moon's Gravity Zone
The Artemis II crew crossed into the lunar sphere of influence at 12:41 a.m. ET Monday, where the moon's gravity overtook Earth's pull on the Orion spacecraft. This milestone puts astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on track for a historic flyby, advancing NASA's efforts to explore beyond Earth.
Crew Surpasses Apollo Records
The astronauts will exceed the Apollo 13 distance record of 248,655 miles from Earth at 1:46 p.m. ET during their loop around the moon. By 7:02 p.m., they will reach a peak of 252,760 miles, farther than any humans have traveled before.
Observations of Lunar Features
The crew captured a photo of the far side of the moon on Saturday, highlighting the Orientale basin along its edge. NASA scientists identified about 35 geological features for the crew to observe. Changes in color can indicate the composition of the minerals on the surface. Artemis II lunar science lead Kelsey Young noted, "They're going to be absolutely buzzing," as the astronauts work in pairs to describe and photograph sites in real time to teams at the Johnson Space Center.
The sources also report that the Orientale basin, featured in the photo of the far side of the moon, will be an ongoing study for commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
Science and Mission Goals
The mission includes ten science objectives, such as studying the Hertzsprung basin to compare lunar impacts over time. Astronauts will use two Nikon D5 cameras and a Nikon Z9 camera to document these targets, providing data for future landings as early as 2028. Their observations build on insights from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, offering human perspectives that satellites miss and aiding designs for safer exploration vehicles.
For example, the sources mention ten science objectives including color variations and geological features, but do not specify the Hertzsprung basin as one.
Onboard Tests and Challenges
The crew tested Orion's life support systems, including carbon dioxide scrubbers, and practiced manual control with mission pilot Victor Glover. They also evaluated the Universal Waste Management System, resolving issues like insufficient water in the bowl to ensure reliable use. These checks confirm the spacecraft's readiness for emergencies. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said Artemis III, slated to launch in mid-2027, will test the same spacecraft with lunar landers.
What the Flyby Means for Viewers
During the flyby, communication will cut out for 40 minutes as Orion circles the far side, starting around 2:45 p.m. for surface observations. The crew will pass over Apollo 12 and 14 landing sites, giving a unique view from 4,070 miles above the moon.
The sources also report that the Orientale basin photo released Sunday shows the moon upside-down with its South Pole facing upward, and that this marks the first time humans have ever seen the basin in full.