NASA has released the first images from the manned lunar orbit mission Artemis II, showcasing a total solar eclipse from space as well as views of the far side of the Moon. The four astronauts on the mission are currently returning to Earth, with a planned splashdown in the Pacific on Friday.
The mission, carried out aboard the Orion spacecraft, included three American astronauts and one Canadian astronaut, and launched from the U.S. East Coast on Monday afternoon (local time). Approximately seven hours into the flight, the spacecraft completed the crucial phase of passing behind the Moon. During this segment, it reached a maximum distance of about 406,000 kilometers from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 mission in 1970 (around 400,000 kilometers) and setting a new record for the farthest manned spaceflight in human history.
Images released by NASA show the Moon completely covering the Sun, creating a rare total solar eclipse from space, as well as detailed photographs of lunar craters with Earth appearing small in the distance. As the spacecraft passed behind the Moon, it also successfully captured images of the Moon and Earth in the same frame, providing valuable scientific data.
During the mission, astronauts conducted various observations and imaging tasks while continuously transmitting data to Earth for analysis of lunar terrain and the space environment. This mission is considered an important step in the United States’ return-to-Moon program, laying the foundation for future manned lunar landings.
According to reports, U.S. President Trump has invited the astronauts to visit the White House after their return.