Commander Artemis II sent stunning photos of Earth from the lunar rover's porthole.

Brief about the event

- Over several hours the Orion spacecraft, crewed by NASA astronauts, successfully completed a trans‑lunar injection maneuver.

- After that it accelerated to a speed sufficient for escape from Earth’s gravity and began its flight toward the Moon.

- Mission commander Artemis II – Reed Wiseman – in live broadcast showed viewers photos of Earth taken from the Orion viewport.

How it happened
1. Maneuvers and speed

After completing the trans‑lunar injection, the ship reached the velocity required for escape from Earth. This is the first step toward a flight to the planet’s natural satellite.

2. Live mission overview

NASA streams the operation, allowing viewers to watch each stage. Commander Wiseman shares impressions and posts shots from the viewport.

3. Earth photo

On April 2 2026 a frame was taken showing the planet in small outlines. This symbolically underscores Artemis II’s distance after entering trans‑lunar trajectory.

What comes next
- Ten‑day lunar flyby

During this phase the crew will test key ship systems: radiation protection, thermal shield, navigation and life support. It is a critical rehearsal for the future crewed mission.

- Crewed landing (Artemis IV)

After successful testing, the first landing on the lunar surface is planned for 2028, marking a significant step for humanity.

Key facts

Metric Value Image location Orion viewport Date of capture April 2 2026 Duration of lunar flyby 10 days Mission goal System testing, preparation for 2028 landing

Thus the Artemis II team successfully completed one of the most important stages on its path to the Moon, showing viewers what Earth looks like from space and preparing for the next step— a crewed landing on the satellite.