NASA’s Artemis II astronauts reach a major milestone as they travel closer to the Moon than Earth on a historic test mission
April 4, 2026: Astronauts aboard Artemis II have reached a historic milestone, becoming the first humans since Apollo 17 to travel toward the Moon. The four-member crew is currently aboard the Orion capsule, flying on a “free-return” trajectory that will use the Moon’s gravity to slingshot them back to Earth. At one point, mission control in Houston informed them they were closer to the Moon than to Earth—about 219,000 km away.
The crew—Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Jeremy Hansen—described the journey as awe-inspiring, capturing breathtaking images of Earth from space. Photos released by NASA show the planet’s curvature, swirling clouds, and even a visible aurora over the North Pole. The astronauts called the experience “spectacular,” with the Moon clearly visible from the capsule.
Despite the excitement, the mission remains a test flight aimed at validating systems for a planned lunar landing in 2028. The crew has been adjusting to life inside the spacecraft, fixing minor technical issues and even troubleshooting a malfunctioning toilet. As they continue their 10-day journey, daily exercise routines and system checks remain crucial, marking another step in NASA’s long-term goal of establishing a human presence on the Moon.