In Pictures | Artemis II’s voyage to the moon and back

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AP

NASA’s Artemis II mission despatched 4 astronauts — three Americans and one Canadian — on the first lunar flyby in additional than 50 years.

Seen right here, astronauts, entrance row from left, Pilot Victor Glover and Commander Reid Wiseman, second row from left, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, of Canada,, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch go away the Operations and Checkout Building for a visit to Launch Pad 39-B and a deliberate liftoff on NASA’s Artemis II moon rocket at the Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Florida

Photo:
AP

The journey of Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen and Reid Weisman round the Moon was wealthy in firsts, information and extraordinary moments. The first girl (Koch), the first individual of coloration (Glover) and the first non-American (Hansen) had been members of the crew on the historic voyage round the Moon.
Until now, solely white American males had been chosen for these missions, which occurred throughout NASA’s Apollo program of the Nineteen Sixties and 70s.
Seen from left, Mission Spc. Jeremy Hansen, of Canada, Mission Spc. Christina Koch, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Pilot Victor Glover pose for a photograph after the crew’s arrival at the Kennedy Space Center on March 27, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Florida

This NASA handout picture exhibits NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander (L), Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot (2L), Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist (2R), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist (R), as they cease for a bunch picture throughout a go to to NASA’s Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft, on March 30, 2026, at Launch Complex 39B of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo: AFP PHOTO / NASA / Bill INGALLS

Photo:
Reuters

The Artemis II journey was the first crewed mission of NASA’s program aiming to set up a sustained presence on the Moon, together with the eventual building of a base.

Seen on April 1, 2026, NASA’s Artemis II mission to fly by the moon, comprising of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion crew capsule, lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S.

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AP

From a profusion of rocket-launch watch events and particular classroom classes on house, to a ​surge in planetarium visits and a retail boon in NASA- and Artemis-themed attire, indicators abound of public fascination with the ⁠4 astronauts who flew to the far aspect of the moon.

Spectators look on from the A. Max Brewer Bridge as NASA’s Artemis II moon rocket lifts off on April 1, 2026, as seen from Titusville, Florida

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Reuters

The 10-day mission, is a key gown rehearsal for a deliberate try later this decade to land astronauts on the moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in late 1972.

NASA’s Artemis II mission, comprising of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion crew capsule, seen lifting off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., on April 1, 2026.

Unlike the Apollo ​period, when the United States was racing to land astronauts on the moon forward of the Soviet Union, the Artemis program is looking for to beat China.

This picture offered by NASA exhibits the exterior of the Orion spacecraft Integrity throughout the Artemis II mission en route to the moon on April 3, 2026. Photo: NASA by way of AP

For many in a worldwide viewers captivated by the newest moon shot, ⁠it reaffirmed the achievements of science and expertise at a time when large tech has develop into broadly distrusted, even feared. Opinion polling confirmed broad ⁠public help for the goals of the mission.
A view of the Moon taken by an Artemis II crew member by way of the window of the Orion spacecraft on day 5 of the mission, April 6, 2026. Photo: NASA/Handout by way of Reuters

In this picture offered by NASA, an Artemis program patch floating in the International Space Station’s cupola, on March 30, 2026. Photo: NASA by way of AP

The voyage of 4 astronauts to the far aspect of the moon gave ​the world a glimpse of America at its greatest, providing a respite from international despair and displeasure over U.S-led battle, tariffs, and crumbling international establishments.
In this picture posted on April 4, 2026, Artemis II astronauts work inside their spacecraft as they proceed their journey and put together for a lunar flyby round the far aspect of the Moon, on this picture launched by NASA. Photo: NASA by way of PTI Photo

Through ‌a fastidiously curated circulate of high-quality photographs, GoPro movies and different footage from NASA, the three American ​and one Canadian astronauts offered real-time documentation of NASA’s 10-day Artemis II mission.
NASA astronaut and Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch seen peering out of certainly one of the Orion spacecraft’s fundamental cabin home windows, wanting back at Earth, as the crew travels in the direction of the Moon April 2, 2026. Photo: NASA/Handout by way of Reuters

NASA Artemis II mission specialist and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen enjoys a shave inside the Orion spacecraft throughout Flight Day 5 and forward of the crew’s lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. Photo: NASA/Handout by way of Reuters

The world watched, commented and hit the “like” button as the astronauts traveled the furthest distance ever from Earth in the Orion spacecraft, a capsule solely ​barely bigger than an SUV.
A view of Earth taken by NASA astronaut and Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman from certainly one of the Orion spacecraft’s window after finishing the translunar injection burn on April 2, 2026. The picture options two auroras (prime proper and backside left) and zodiacal mild (backside proper) is seen as the Earth eclipses the Sun. Photo: NASA/Handout by way of Reuters

The Artemis II astronauts took a poignant web page from Apollo 8, proposing deeply private names for a pair of lunar craters.
Commander Reid Wiseman and his crew requested permission to identify one small, contemporary crater after their capsule referred to as Integrity and one other after his late spouse, Carroll. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen made the request proper earlier than the lunar fly-around. Mr. Wiseman was too emotional to discuss.
Carroll Wiseman, a neonatal nurse, died of most cancers in 2020.
This screengrab from a NASA livestream exhibits Artemis II crew members Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch embracing aboard the Orion spacecraft after naming a lunar crater “Carroll” in honor of Wiseman’s late spouse, on April 6, 2026. Photo: Handout / NASA / AFP

This screengrab from a NASA livestream exhibits a jar of Nutella floating aboard the Orion spacecraft as Artemis II crew members Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch work on April 6, 2026. Photo: Handout / NASA / AFP

A view of the Moon as the Artemis II mission’s Orion spacecraft approaches to attain its furthest distance from Earth, on this screengrab taken from a livestream video on April 6, 2026. Photo: NASA/Handout by way of Reuters

Photo:
NASA

The Artemis II crew broke the distance document set by the 1970 Apollo 13 mission, which they surpassed by greater than 4,000 miles (greater than 6,000 kilometers) once they reached the journey’s furthest distance from Earth 252,756 miles (406,771 kilometers).

The crew of the Artemis II mission’s Orion capsule, seen after the spacecraft had reached its farthest distance from the planet when it travelled round the Moon, on this screengrab taken from a livestream video on April 6, 2026. Photo: NASA /Handout by way of Reuters

In this picture offered by NASA, the Artemis II crew captured this picture of the Vavilov Crater on the Moon throughout a lunar flyby, on April 6, 2026. Photo: NASA by way of AP

In this picture offered by NASA, the Artemis II crew captured this view as the Earth units behind the Moon throughout a lunar flyby, Monday, April 6, 2026.
The picture was a deliberate nod to the iconic Earthrise picture taken throughout the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, a shot that helped seize the public’s creativeness as people traveled round the Moon for the first time.

The fashionable model launched by NASA and the White House pairs the delicate, watery planet Earth with the harsh curve of the Moon, separated by black house.
Photo: NASA by way of AP

Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut and Artemis II Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen takes images utilizing a digital camera shroud overlaying window 2 of the Orion spacecraft throughout the Artemis II crew’s flyby of the Moon on April 6, 2026. Photo: NASA/Handout by way of Reuters

The crew reported back to NASA in vivid element options of the lunar floor and later witnessed a photo voltaic eclipse, when the Moon handed in entrance of the Sun.
In this picture posted on April 7, 2026, This picture launched by NASA exhibits a photo voltaic eclipse as seen from lunar orbit throughout the Artemis II mission. Photo: NASA by way of PTI Photo

In this picture offered by NASA, the Artemis II crew, counterclockwise from prime left, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Pilot Victor Glover pose with eclipse viewers throughout a lunar flyby, on April 6, 2026. Photo: NASA by way of AP

The crew additionally described flashes of sunshine — meteor strikes — on the Moon’s floor.

“Humans probably have not evolved to see what we’re seeing,” mentioned Victor Glover. “It is truly hard to describe. It is amazing.”
Seen right here, a portion of the Moon backlit by the Sun throughout a photo voltaic eclipse as the planet Venus exhibits as a vivid silver glint at left, throughout the Artemis II crew’s flyby of the Moon on April 7, 2026. Photo: NASA/Handout by way of Reuters

In this picture offered by NASA, the Artemis II crew, clockwise from left, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Pilot Victor Glover, pause for a bunch picture inside the Orion spacecraft on their manner dwelling on April 7, 2026. Photo: NASA by way of AP

During their historic lunar flyby, astronauts on NASA’s Artemis II mission witnessed meteorites placing the rugged floor of the Moon, a sight that has piqued scientists’ curiosity.
“That was definitely impact flashes on the moon. And Jeremy [Hansen] just saw another one,” mission commander Reid Wiseman reportedwhile flying round the Moon.
A view of Earth, partially hidden behind the Moon, captured by way of the Orion spacecraft window at 6:41 p.m. EDT (22:41 GMT) on April 6, 2026. Photo: NASA/Handout by way of Reuters

The NASA Artemis II crew, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Pilot Victor Glover, embrace inside the Orion spacecraft on their manner dwelling following a flyby of the far aspect of the Moon on April 7, 2026. Photo: NASA/Handout by way of Reuters

In this picture offered by NASA, the Artemis II crew photographed a faint view of a crescent Earth above the horizon on the Moon’s far aspect on April 6, 2026. Photo: NASA by way of AP

In this picture offered by NASA, Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover is photographed in the Orion spacecraft throughout the Artemis II lunar flyby on on April 6, 2026. Photo: NASA by way of AP

The return to Earth put the Orion spacecraft by way of a important take a look at of its warmth protect, which sustained an sudden degree of scorching and stress on re-entry throughout its 2022 take a look at flight. As a ‌outcome, NASA engineers altered the descent trajectory for Artemis II so as to cut back warmth buildup and decrease the threat of the capsule burning up.
In this picture from video offered by NASA, the Artemis II Orion capsule, proper, separates from the service module above the Earth in preparation for splash down in the Pacific Ocean, on April 10, 2026. Photo: NASA by way of AP

Later on April 10, 2026, the Artemis II capsule ​and its four-member crew streaked by way of Earth’s ambiance and safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.
NASA’s gumdrop-shaped Orion ​capsule, dubbed Integrity, parachuted gently into the sea off the Southern California coast shortly after 5 p.m. PT, concluding ⁠a mission that took the astronauts deeper into house than anybody had flown earlier than. Photo: NASA/Handout by way of Reuters

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, and NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist react whereas sitting on a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates had been extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, U.S. April 10, 2026. Photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls/Handout by way of Reuters