Trending Now - Artemis Crew Begins Journey Home After Successful Lunar Flyby

WHO:

Fast Company - Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen stated, "It is blowing my mind what you can see with the naked eye from the moon right now. It is just unbelievable."

Fast Company - Commander Reid Wiseman expressed, "It’s just a real honor to have that on board with us," referring to the Apollo 8 silk patch.

Fast Company - Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell sent a recorded message to the Artemis II crew, saying, "Welcome to my old neighborhood," before his death in August 2025.

Fast Company - Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen expressed amazement at the views from the moon, stating, "It is blowing my mind what you can see with the naked eye from the moon right now. It is just unbelievable."

Fast Company - Commander Reid Wiseman mentioned the honor of carrying the Apollo 8 silk patch, stating, "It’s just a real honor to have that on board with us."

Bloomberg - NASA’s four Artemis astronauts are involved in the mission.

WHAT:

Bloomberg - The Artemis II mission is NASA's first astronaut moonshot since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Phys.org - The Artemis II mission is set to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10th, 2026, after a nearly 10-day test flight.

Phys.org - The Artemis II astronauts captured images of the moon and Earth in the same shot during their flyby, providing a running commentary to scientists back in Houston.

Phys.org - The astronauts are utilizing a spacecraft designed for lunar exploration to conduct their flyby and return journey.

Fast Company - The Artemis II mission included a total solar eclipse on April 6th, 2026, as the moon temporarily blocked the sun from the astronauts' perspective.

Fast Company - The astronauts suggested naming two newly discovered craters "Integrity" and "Carroll" during their observations.

Fast Company - The Artemis II astronauts reached a maximum distance of 252,756 miles (406,771 kilometers) from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record by 4,101 miles (6,600 kilometers).

Fast Company - The Artemis II mission is using a free-return lunar trajectory, similar to Apollo 13, to ensure a safe return to Earth.

Fast Company - The Artemis II astronauts captured images of the Earth setting on April 6th, 2026, as they flew around the Moon.

Fast Company - The Artemis II mission is set to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10th, 2026, after a nearly 10-day test flight.

Fast Company - The Artemis II astronauts captured images of the moon and Earth in the same shot during their flyby, providing a running commentary to scientists back in Houston.

Fast Company - The Artemis II lunar flyby included a total solar eclipse as the moon temporarily blocked the sun from the astronauts' perspective.

Fast Company - The astronauts captured images of the moon and Earth in the same shot during their flyby.

Fast Company - The astronauts suggested naming two newly discovered craters "Integrity" and "Carroll" during their observations.

Fast Company - The Artemis II mission is set to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10th, 2026.

Fast Company - The Artemis II astronauts reached a maximum distance of 252,756 miles (406,771 kilometers) from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record by 4,101 miles (6,600 kilometers).

Fast Company - The lunar fly-around and observation period lasted seven hours, marking the highlight of the nearly 10-day test flight.

Fast Company - The astronauts made their closest approach to the moon at a distance of 4,067 miles (6,545 kilometers) during the flyby.

Fast Company - The spacecraft accelerated to a speed of 3,139 mph (5,052 kph) at its closest approach to the moon.

Fast Company - President Trump referred to the astronauts as "modern-day pioneers" during a phone call after the flyby, expressing pride in their achievements.

Bloomberg - The Artemis astronauts' journey home has set a new record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth by humans, surpassing previous records held for over 50 years.

Bloomberg - The Artemis astronauts are returning home after completing a lunar flyby.

Phys.org - The astronauts sent back detailed observations of the moon, including information about lunar craters, a solar eclipse, and meteor strikes.

Phys.org - The Artemis II astronauts wrapped up their lunar flyby and began their journey back to Earth on April 5th, 2026.

WHERE:

Bloomberg - The mission involved traveling behind the moon, marking a significant distance from Earth.

WHEN:

Phys.org - The Artemis II astronauts began their journey back to Earth on April 5th, 2026, and are expected to experience a communications blackout for approximately 40 minutes during their flyby.

Fast Company - The lunar fly-around and observation period lasted seven hours on April 5th, 2026.

Fast Company - The Artemis II astronauts began their journey back to Earth on April 5th, 2026, and are expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10th, 2026.

Fast Company - The Artemis II astronauts began their journey back to Earth on April 5th, 2026, after completing their lunar flyby.

Newsweek - The Artemis II astronauts are scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10th, 2026.

Phys.org - The communications blackout began on April 5th, 2026, as the astronauts passed behind the moon.

Phys.org - The astronauts began their journey back to Earth on April 5th, 2026, and are expected to experience a communications blackout for approximately 40 minutes during their flyby.

Phys.org - The lunar flyby occurred on April 5th, 2026, and the astronauts are expected to experience a communications blackout lasting approximately 40 minutes as they pass behind the moon.

WHY:

Phys.org - The mission aims to gather rich celestial observations that could provide new insights into the moon and its environment.

Fast Company - The mission is seen as a morale boost for NASA during a challenging year for the scientific community.

Phys.org - The mission is seen as a morale boost for NASA during a challenging year for the scientific community, as it showcases significant advancements in lunar exploration.

Phys.org - The mission aims to gather rich celestial observations that could provide new insights into the moon and its environment.

HOW:

Phys.org - NASA staffers gathered in Houston's mission control room on April 5th, 2026, to celebrate the milestone of the lunar flyby and take a team photo.

Fast Company - The Artemis II astronauts used powerful Nikon cameras and their iPhones to capture images of lunar features during their flyby.

Fast Company - The Artemis II mission utilized a free-return lunar trajectory, similar to the maneuver used by Apollo 13, to ensure a safe return to Earth.

Fast Company - The Artemis II mission utilized a free-return lunar trajectory, similar to the maneuver used by Apollo 13, to reduce fuel needs and ensure a safe return to Earth.

Phys.org - NASA staffers gathered in Houston's mission control room on April 5th, 2026, to celebrate the milestone of the lunar flyby and take a team photo.

Phys.org - The astronauts are utilizing a spacecraft designed for lunar exploration to conduct their flyby and return journey.

(UPDATED April 8, 2026 01:19 UTC)

NASA's Artemis II mission marks the first astronaut moonshot since Apollo 17 in 1972, and the crew began their journey back to Earth on Sunday, after a nearly 10-day test flight. During their flyby, the astronauts captured stunning images of the moon and Earth together, while providing a running commentary to scientists back in Houston, and they are expected to experience a communications blackout for about 40 minutes. The mission is set to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean April 10th, as it aims to gather valuable celestial observations that could enhance our understanding of the moon and its environment.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 23:08 UTC)

The Artemis II mission made headlines as astronauts reached a maximum distance of 252,756 miles from Earth, breaking the Apollo 13 record by over 4,100 miles. During their seven-hour lunar fly-around on Sunday, they witnessed a total solar eclipse and suggested naming two newly discovered craters "Integrity" and "Carroll." Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen expressed his amazement at the views from the moon, while Commander Reid Wiseman highlighted the honor of having the Apollo 8 silk patch on board.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 21:11 UTC)

Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell, who passed away in August 20th25, sent a heartfelt recorded message to the Artemis II crew, welcoming them to his old neighborhood. The Artemis II astronauts, who began their journey back to Earth on Sunday, captured stunning images of the Earth setting as they flew around the Moon, using powerful Nikon cameras and their iPhones. This mission, utilizing a free-return lunar trajectory similar to Apollo 13, is seen as a significant morale boost for NASA during a challenging year for the scientific community, with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean expected April 10th.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 19:18 UTC)

The Artemis II mission is wrapping up its nearly 10-day test flight, with astronauts beginning their journey back to Earth on Sunday and a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean scheduled for April 10th. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen expressed his amazement at the breathtaking views from the moon, while Commander Reid Wiseman highlighted the honor of carrying the Apollo 8 silk patch on board. During their flyby, the astronauts captured stunning images of both the moon and Earth, providing valuable commentary to scientists back in Houston.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 17:19 UTC)

The Artemis II lunar flyby featured a stunning total solar eclipse, as the moon temporarily blocked the sun from the astronauts' perspective. During their journey, the crew captured breathtaking images of both the moon and Earth in the same frame, and they proposed naming two newly discovered craters "Integrity" and "Carroll." This remarkable mission is set to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean April 10th.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 15:18 UTC)

The Artemis II astronauts have made history by reaching a maximum distance of 252,756 miles from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record by over 4,100 miles. During their nearly 10-day test flight, they enjoyed a seven-hour lunar fly-around, making their closest approach to the moon at just over 4,000 miles while accelerating to speeds of 3,139 miles per hour. President Trump praised the astronauts as "modern-day pioneers" during a phone call after the flyby, expressing pride in their remarkable achievements.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 13:19 UTC)

A communications blackout began on Sunday, as astronauts passed behind the moon. This interruption in contact has raised concerns about the ongoing mission. The blackout occurred at 09:16 UTC, leaving mission control without updates for a period of time.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 11:15 UTC)

The Artemis astronauts have set a new record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth by humans, surpassing previous records that stood for over 50 years. They began their journey back to Earth on Sunday, and are expected to experience a communications blackout for about 40 minutes during their flyby. NASA staffers celebrated this significant milestone in Houston's mission control room, marking a morale boost for the agency amid a challenging year for the scientific community.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 09:16 UTC)

NASA's Artemis astronauts are on their way back to Earth after successfully completing a lunar flyby on Sunday. During their mission, they sent back detailed observations of the moon, including insights about lunar craters, a solar eclipse, and meteor strikes, while traveling behind the moon, which created a brief communications blackout. The mission aims to gather valuable data that could enhance our understanding of the moon and its environment.