SCIENCE

Artemis II photographs Orientale Basin, approaches lunar flyby

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Artemis II photographs Orientale Basin, approaches lunar flyby

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Washington: NASA's Artemis II crew downlinked a full-view image of the Moon's Orientale Basin as the Orion spacecraft continued its transit toward the lunar far side. Launched 1 April 2026, the four-member crew reached the two-thirds mark of their journey during Flight Day 4, NASA said. The image, sent Sunday, confirms the crew will perform a scheduled lunar flyby Monday to photograph and visually study surface features. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen practiced manual control on April 5 and will collect observations to supplement instrument data and mission telemetry.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Pre-launch: Crew undergoes two-plus years of geology and observation training.
1 April 2026: Artemis II launches from Kennedy Space Center aboard Orion Integrity.
3–4 April 2026: In-flight rehearsals and systems checks take place.
5 April 2026 (Flight Day 4): Mission reaches two-thirds of its journey; crew practices manual control.
Overnight Sunday–Monday (early April): Orientale Basin image downlinked; spacecraft enters lunar sphere of influence ahead of Monday flyby.

Why This Matters to You

The Artemis II mission is a big step for space exploration. It's about more than just science. It's about human curiosity and our drive to explore. If you've got kids, it's a great time to spark their interest in space. Check out NASA's website for educational resources.

The Bottom Line

This lunar flyby is a critical part of the Artemis II mission. It's a testament to years of training and preparation. The crew's observations will help shape future lunar missions. Worth forwarding if you know someone fascinated by space exploration.