NASA revealed that the "Artemis 2" astronauts are preparing to enter the Moon's gravitational field on the fifth day of their mission, nearing a record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth.
The United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced progress on the "Artemis 2" mission on its fifth day, marking a critical phase before the lunar flyby. It stated that all four astronauts are preparing to enter the "lunar sphere of influence," with the latest data showing the Orion spacecraft approximately 346,000 kilometers from Earth and about 65,000 kilometers from the Moon.
Meanwhile, recent mission photos have clearly revealed the Orientale basin on the Moon, marking the first time humans have directly seen the entire area with their own eyes. The astronauts have observed the Moon's surface from perspectives never before witnessed by humans.
Project scientists stated that the lunar flyby, along with imaging and exploring the lunar surface, will provide new scientific insights about the Moon and the spacecraft, as this is the first human journey aboard Orion. Additionally, the four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen—have tested emergency spacesuits to evaluate preparedness for scenarios such as cabin pressure loss.
NASA stated that if the mission proceeds as planned, the astronauts will travel to the Moon's far side and may set a record as the humans farthest from Earth. The data from this mission is also vital for preparing future missions, particularly Artemis 3 in 2027 and Artemis 4 in 2028, which aim to land humans on the Moon once again.
Source: AFP