NASA has released stunning images of Earth captured by the Artemis 2 crew from the Orion spacecraft. The team of four astronauts embarked on a 10-day, 600,000-mile journey around the Moon and back after launching from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Commander Reid Wiseman’s high-resolution photos showcase vibrant continents, clouds, oceans, and a visible green aurora near the poles.
Currently, the Orion capsule, housing Commander Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, is over 100,000 miles away from Earth, traveling at speeds exceeding 3,500 miles per hour. It is expected to surpass Apollo 13’s 1970 record of 248,655 miles by reaching 252,799 miles from Earth.
During the mission, the crew spent 25 hours circling Earth in a unique orbit, practicing docking maneuvers around the separated upper stage to prepare for future Moon missions. Visual judgment is key as they maintain a safe distance of at least 33 feet from the stage. Orion’s main engine will propel the crew towards the Moon using a free-return trajectory, conserving fuel by leveraging gravity from the Moon and Earth.
The lunar flyby is scheduled for Monday, with Orion reaching its farthest point from Earth on flight day six, surpassing Apollo 13’s distance record. After circling the Moon, the crew will begin their journey back, aiming for a splashdown on flight day 10. Despite a minor issue with the high-tech toilet, which was quickly resolved, the mission is proceeding smoothly.
Mission control guided the crew through troubleshooting the toilet’s malfunction, ensuring the Universal Waste Management System onboard the spacecraft is now operating normally. The astronauts continue their historic mission with confidence and determination.
