science
NASA's Artemis II Mission Captures First Photo of Earth from Moon's Far Side
The Artemis II crew achieved the farthest distance from Earth ever traveled by humans and unveiled the first photograph of Earth taken from the moon's far side. The mission, involving four astronauts led by Reid Wiseman, included a flyby of the moon. NASA named a lunar crater after Wiseman's late wife.
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NASA's Artemis II mission crew captured the first-ever photograph of Earth from the far side of the moon during a flyby on Tuesday. The image was released by the agency following the mission's progress. The four-person crew, commanded by Reid Wiseman, also broke the record for the farthest distance from Earth traveled by humans on Monday.
The astronauts became the first humans to visually observe certain parts of the moon's far side. They spotted seven previously unseen features during the journey. President Donald Trump spoke with the crew via phone call, describing them as modern-day pioneers.
The Artemis II mission marks a significant step in NASA's lunar exploration program.
The crew's flyby allowed for new observations and imaging opportunities. The photograph provides a unique perspective of Earth relative to the moon's hidden hemisphere. The record-breaking distance exceeded previous human spaceflight achievements.
Specific details on the exact distance were not quantified in available reports. The mission's success builds on prior unmanned tests in the Artemis program.
captains the crew, which includes three other astronauts not named in the sources.
During the mission, NASA named a crater on the moon's far side Carroll, honoring Wiseman's late wife. This naming recognizes personal contributions connected to the astronaut's family.
“— President Donald Trump, in phone call to Artemis II crew (Fox News)”
The tribute to Carroll occurred as the crew laid eyes on the far side. NPR reported the naming and the visual milestone. The event underscores the human element in space exploration.
