Artemis II Breaks Apollo Record, Names Lunar Craters
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- NASA regained contact with the Artemis II crew after a 40‑minute signal loss when the spacecraft passed behind the Moon.
- NASA announced that Artemis II surpassed the Apollo 13 distance record by 4,105 miles (6,606 km), reaching a farthest point of 252,760 miles (406,778 km) from Earth.
- Victor Glover described the lunar terminator as the most rugged lighting perspective he had seen, offering a vivid human observation for scientists.
- Christina Koch likened lunar craters to a lampshade with tiny pinprick holes, noting their brightness compared to the rest of the Moon.
- NASA will submit the crew’s proposed crater names “Integrity” and “Carroll” to the International Astronomical Union for official approval.
- Orion capsule is on a free‑return trajectory that will loop around the Moon, U‑turn, and head back to Earth in about four days.
Why it matters: The crew’s record‑breaking distance and firsthand lunar observations give NASA fresh data for future deep‑space missions, while the proposed crater names personalize the mission and underscore the historic firsts of a diverse crew, enhancing public engagement and scientific heritage and inspire future generations.
