NASA’s Artemis II Crew Begins Return Journey After Historic Lunar Flyby and Stunning ‘Earthset’ Imagery
As of April 8, 2026, NASA’s Artemis II crew has officially begun its journey back to Earth, marking the conclusion of a historic ten-day mission that saw humans venture further into deep space than ever before. The crew, orbiting the Moon in the Orion spacecraft, is now transitioning from the exploration phase to the return phase of their flight.
One of the most significant highlights of the mission is the release of a breathtaking “Earthset” photograph. Published by NASA, this image serves as a poetic celestial mirror to the famous “Earthrise” photo taken 57 years ago, capturing the planet dipping below the lunar horizon.
The mission has also provided an unprecedented glance at the Moon’s hidden side. NASA has unveiled new images of the far side of the Moon, with stunning large-format photos that document the lunar flyby in vivid detail. For the astronauts, the experience was more than just a technical achievement; one crew member described the profound sensation of the journey, stating, “I no longer felt like I was in the capsule, just carried to the other side of the Moon.”
The technical execution of the mission has remained precise. On Flight Day 7, the crew successfully completed their first return correction burn to set their trajectory toward Earth. During this phase, the team also maintained a radio link with the crew aboard the International Space Station, highlighting the seamless communication capabilities of the deep-space systems being tested.
Launched on April 1, 2026, via the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Artemis II mission is crewed by NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Traveling aboard the Orion spacecraft (CM-003 Integrity), the team covered a planned distance of 695,081 miles to test the capabilities required for long-term lunar habitation and future crewed missions to Mars.
The successful navigation of the lunar far side and the precise return maneuvers signal a major leap in deep-space exploration technology. The crew is now expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean on April 11, 2026, concluding a mission that paves the way for future lunar surface landings.
