NASA shares stunning earth photos as Artemis II astronauts head toward moon

NASA released the first photos taken by astronauts on the Artemis II inside the Orion capsule while heading to the moon. Mission commander Reid Wiseman clicked the images using a tablet with a camera called a Personal Computing Device. The first photo showed Earth, and mission control said it reminds everyone that the whole world is connected. The second image showed Earth again through Orion’s window and was described as a “pale blue dot.”

Mission specialist Christina Koch said seeing Earth from space was breathtaking and made her more excited to see the moon. Koch said the view showed Earth bright in daylight and glowing at night with sunset light. Wiseman said mission control turned the spacecraft so they could see the full globe from pole to pole, as stated by CNN. He said they could see Africa, Europe and even the northern lights from space. Wiseman also joked that Orion’s windows were getting dirty because the crew kept looking outside.

Earth photos from space

The astronauts delayed their first meal together because they were busy taking photos. Jeremy Hansen said they were stuck at the window watching Earth lit by the moon. The images were taken three days into the mission and show one of the clearest views of Earth in decades, as stated by USA Today. The photo reminded experts of the famous “Blue Marble” image from Apollo 17. Another image showed Earth from inside the Orion capsule during the 10-day moon journey.


The astronauts are expected to see the far side of the moon, something even earlier Apollo crews did not see directly. The mission is also testing systems to help NASA prepare for future moon landings and missions to Mars. One image showed Earth glowing blue and brown with a green aurora in the atmosphere. NASA also shared earlier photos showing Orion’s engine section from space. People can track the spacecraft using NASA’s online tracker and mobile app.

Moon flyby plan

Artemis II is scheduled to fly around the moon on April 6 and break the distance record set by Apollo 13. The crew includes Wiseman, Koch, Victor Glover, and Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. Glover will become the first Black man near the moon, Koch the first woman, and Hansen the first Canadian.

After the moon flyby, the spacecraft will return to Earth using gravity to slingshot back. Orion will land in the Pacific Ocean near California with parachutes and airbags to keep it upright, as stated by USA Today. The astronauts will then exit the capsule and be recovered by a U.S. Navy ship within about two hours.

FAQs

Q1. What did NASA share from the Artemis II mission?

NASA shared new photos of Earth taken by astronauts inside the Orion while traveling toward the moon.

Q2. When will Artemis II fly around the moon?

The mission is expected to make a lunar flyby on April 6 before returning to Earth.