The crew of the Artemis 2 mission is preparing for the most critical phase of their journey: a high-stakes flyby of the far side of the moon. After five days of transit, the spacecraft is positioning itself to capture unprecedented views of the lunar surface, focusing on geological “scars” that offer a window into the violent history of the early solar system.
The upcoming Artemis 2 lunar flyby is more than a navigational milestone; it is a rigorous test of human endurance and deep-space systems. For six hours on April 6 (U.S. Time), the crew will execute a series of precision observations, targeting 30 specific lunar landmarks. This phase of the mission represents the pinnacle of the current journey, bridging the gap between the Apollo era and the future of permanent lunar habitation.
Among the primary objectives is the documentation of the lunar far side, a region that remains hidden from Earth’s view and serves as a pristine record of cosmic collisions. By studying these remote craters, NASA scientists hope to refine models of planetary formation and impact physics that apply not only to the moon but to Mars and beyond.
Mapping the ‘Moon’s Scars’: The Orientale Basin
The scientific centerpiece of the flyby is the Orientale Basin, a massive impact site located on the boundary between the moon’s near and far sides in the southern hemisphere. Spanning approximately 930 kilometers in diameter, it is one of the largest and youngest basins formed during the “Late Heavy Bombardment,” a period of intense asteroid impacts that began roughly 4 billion years ago.
The basin is characterized by three concentric rings, formed when a colossal asteroid struck the surface, sending material outward like a tidal wave and causing the surrounding lunar crust to collapse. Calsy Young, a senior scientist for the Artemis 2 team, noted in Nature that the Orientale Basin can serve as a primary model for studying how impact basins form on other celestial bodies.
Beyond the basin, the crew will target the Ohm crater (64km diameter), featuring a central peak rising above a floor of ancient lava flows, and the smaller Pierazzo crater (9km diameter). These sites have never been observed by the human eye from such proximity, providing a unique opportunity for high-resolution manual photography and observation.
A Legacy Reclaimed: The Novel ‘Earthrise’
The mission is also designed to evoke the profound psychological impact of early lunar exploration. The crew will attempt to photograph “Earthrise”—the sight of the blue marble of Earth emerging from the lunar horizon. This imagery first became a global symbol of planetary fragility when captured by the Apollo 8 crew in 1968. Seeing this view again, 58 years later, underscores the continuity of human curiosity and the evolution of our spacefaring capabilities.
This connection to the past was highlighted by a message sent to the crew from Charlie Duke, an Apollo 16 astronaut who walked on the moon in 1972. Duke expressed his joy in seeing a new version of the Orion spacecraft helping humanity return to the lunar surface, reminding the crew that they carry the support of the world—and the legacy of those who left family photos on the lunar soil decades ago.
Technical Gauntlet: Survival Systems and Orbit Correction
While the science is paramount, the mission is fundamentally a flight test. On the fifth day of the mission, the crew conducted a series of demonstrations using the Orion Crew Survival System—the distinctive orange suits designed to protect astronauts during launch, re-entry, and emergency depressurization. These suits are engineered to provide breathable air for up to six days in the event of a catastrophic pressure loss within the Orion capsule.
The crew practiced critical survival protocols, including rapid donning and pressurization, seating installation while suited, and the use of helmet-integrated hoses for nutrition. These drills ensure that the human element remains resilient in the face of the vacuum of space.
The mission’s trajectory is managed through a series of “orbit correction burns.” While two previous burns were canceled because the spacecraft remained perfectly on course, a final correction is scheduled to ensure the precise approach to the lunar far side. This ensures the crew hits the narrow window required for their specific observation targets.
The Record-Breaking Path
The flyby is slated to begin at 2:45 p.m. On April 6 (U.S. Time). A critical moment occurs four hours into the flyby, when the spacecraft passes behind the moon. For 40 minutes, the lunar mass will block all radio signals, resulting in a total communication blackout between the crew and mission control on Earth.
At 7:02 p.m., the spacecraft will reach its closest approach to the moon, passing approximately 6,400 kilometers from the far side. Just five minutes later, the crew will set a new human record for the furthest distance ever traveled from Earth: 252,760 miles (406,777 kilometers). This surpasses the previous record held by the crew of Apollo 13, who reached 248,655 miles in 1970.
| Event | Timing (Approx. U.S. Time) | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Flyby Commencement | April 6, 2:45 PM | 6-hour observation window begins |
| Comm. Blackout | ~ 6:45 PM | 40 minutes of signal loss behind the moon |
| Closest Approach | April 6, 7:02 PM | 6,400 km from lunar far side |
| Distance Record | April 6, 7:07 PM | 252,760 miles from Earth |
The mission will conclude its lunar proximity phase with a rare celestial alignment. As the spacecraft, moon, and sun align, the crew will witness a solar eclipse lasting approximately one hour. NASA will utilize this event to analyze the sun’s corona—the outermost layer of the solar atmosphere—which is typically obscured by the sun’s glare but becomes visible during an eclipse.
The entire event will be broadcast live via the NASA+ channel. The next major checkpoint for the mission will be the spacecraft’s transition from the lunar flyby to its return trajectory toward Earth, marking the successful completion of the first crewed lunar mission in over half a century.
Share your thoughts on the return to the moon in the comments below or share this story on social media.
