Artemis II Sets New Deep-Space Record as Humans Reach Furthest Distance from Earth
April 7, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice
NASA’s Artemis II spacecraft made history on April 6, 2026, not only by rounding the far side of the Moon but also by breaking the all-time record for the furthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth.
The Artemis II mission reached a staggering distance of 252,756 miles (406,771 kilometers) from Earth. This achievement surpasses the long-standing record set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970.
The four-member crew passed within 4,067 miles (6,545 kilometers) of the lunar surface. During the transit, they became the first humans to witness the Orientale Basin—often described as the “Grand Canyon of the Moon”—illuminated under direct sunlight.
From their unique vantage point behind the Moon, the astronauts also observed a rare total solar eclipse. Unlike eclipses viewed from Earth, this celestial event lasted significantly longer, spanning approximately 53 minutes.
In a symbolic gesture, the crew proposed names for two previously unnamed lunar craters. One was named “Integrity,” after their spacecraft, while the other was proposed as “Carroll” to honor the late wife of astronaut Reid Wiseman, who passed away from cancer.
Using the Moon’s gravity as a slingshot, the Artemis II spacecraft is now on its return trajectory toward Earth. The mission is scheduled to conclude this Friday, April 10, with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego.
This mission marks the first time humans have returned to the lunar vicinity since 1972. It serves as a critical milestone for the upcoming Artemis III and Artemis IV missions, which aim to land humans back on the lunar surface in 2027 and 2028.
