“Artemis II”: Lunar Flyby on “Orion” in 2026

# Artemis II Mission: Orion Crew on Trajectory for Record-Breaking Lunar Flyby

The Artemis II mission crew aboard the Orion spacecraft is approaching a key milestone—the lunar flyby. On April 6, 2026, the astronauts will reach a distance of 406,773 km from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record from 1970 by more than 6,000 km. In the coming day, the spacecraft will reach the far side of the Moon, where communication with Earth will be cut off.

Preparation for the Maneuver and Flight Trajectory

The SLS rocket launch with Orion took place on April 2, 2026, at 1:35 a.m. MSK from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew has covered more than half the distance to the Moon. The flyby will begin at 9:45 p.m. MSK. The spacecraft will pass about 8,000 km from the lunar surface.

The crew consists of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen. Return to Earth is scheduled for April 12, 2026.

Scientific Program During the Flyby

The astronauts have several hours for visual study of the lunar surface. The main focus is on geological features:

• Craters of various origins.
• Frozen lava flows.
• Relief features formed by tectonics and volcanism.

Photos and observations will be transmitted to scientists for analysis of ancient processes in the formation of the Moon and the Solar System.

Before the mission, the crew underwent field training in Iceland and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. These regions were chosen due to their landscapes' similarity to the Moon's.

Technical Aspects of the Mission

The Orion spacecraft is equipped with systems for extended autonomous flight. During the pass around the far side of the Moon, communication with Earth will be unavailable, requiring full autonomy in navigation and life support systems.

The flyby maneuver uses the Moon's gravity to adjust the return trajectory. This is the first crewed flight using this profile since the Apollo program.

Key Points:

• Record distance from Earth: 406,773 km.
• Flyby on April 6 at 9:45 p.m. MSK, 8,000 km from the Moon.
• Geological survey of the surface for science.
• Crew: 3 NASA astronauts + 1 from CSA.
• Return on April 12, 2026.

The Artemis II mission lays the foundation for future lunar landings under the Artemis program. The data gathered will deepen understanding of lunar geology, which is critical for planning lunar bases.

— Editorial Team