Artemis II Embarks on Historic Lunar Flyby Mission
NASA’s Artemis II astronauts have shared the first flyby photographs of the Moon from their test flight. The images expose areas of the lunar far side that no human has previously observed.
Images and release
The photos were taken on April 6 during the crew’s transit past the Moon. NASA released the pictures on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Seven-hour far side pass
The spacecraft completed a seven-hour passage over the lunar far side. This leg of the historic test flight returned humans to the Moon’s vicinity.
Rare in-space eclipse
Among the shots is a rare in-space solar eclipse captured from orbit. The event adds a unique moment to the mission’s visual record.
Why it matters
The imagery reveals previously unseen terrain on the far side. Those views could inform future exploration and scientific planning.
- Mission: Artemis II test flight.
- Photos taken: April 6, 2026.
- Release date: April 7, 2026.
- Duration over far side: seven hours.
- Notable feature: in-space solar eclipse.
Artemis II embarked on a historic lunar flyby mission that advances human deep-space activity. Observers expect more data and images as the mission continues.
