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Artemis II astronauts reach lunar orbit after more than 50 years of human absence
The four Artemis II astronauts entered lunar orbit this Monday and began a historic period of lunar observation around 2:45 PM US East Coast time (6:45 PM GMT), officially marking humanity's return to the Moon since Apollo 17, launched in December 1972. NASA's mission, which will not land, will fly over the natural satellite aboard Orion, including its far side today, the part of the Moon that cannot be observed from Earth.
TL;DR
- Artemis II astronauts have entered lunar orbit, the first human return to the Moon since 1972.
- The mission features the most diverse crew ever to travel to the Moon, including the first woman and first Black astronaut on a lunar mission, plus the first foreign astronaut for NASA on a lunar mission.
- The crew will observe the Moon's far side, break the distance record from Earth set by Apollo 13, and experience a unique 53-minute solar eclipse.
- Despite previous delays, the mission has met most of its objectives, with minor issues like a toilet problem being resolved.
- The mission, which launched on April 1st, is scheduled to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on Friday.