Artemis II passes halfway point to Moon, sends Earth photos
DW.com • • general
Key Points:
- The Artemis II mission has passed the halfway point between Earth and the Moon, marking the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972, with astronauts not landing but testing the Orion capsule for future missions.
- The crew, consisting of American astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen, is on a free-return trajectory using the Moon's gravity to slingshot back to Earth without propulsion.
- The astronauts shared stunning photos of Earth from space, including views of the planet's curvature and auroras, and expressed awe at seeing the Moon through the capsule's docking hatch.
- During the mission, the crew has addressed minor technical issues, including a communications problem and a malfunctioning toilet, which was successfully repaired, earning Koch the nickname "space plumber."
- The astronauts have begun daily exercise routines to combat muscle and bone loss in zero gravity and are adapting to living in the confined, slightly cold environment of the Orion spacecraft.
