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Artemis II crew comes back into contact after flying behind far side of the moon

The four astronauts observed far-side lunar features and tested Orion systems during a planned 40-minute communications blackout, NASA said.

  • On Monday, April 6, the Artemis crew began a seven-hour lunar flyby, venturing deeper into space than anyone in history while facing a 40-minute communications blackout behind the Moon.
  • NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen launched Wednesday, April 1, aboard the 322-foot Space Launch System rocket to test life-support and communication systems.
  • The Orion will venture a maximum 252,757 miles from Earth, passing 4,066 miles above the Moon's surface to observe the Orientale basin, Pierazzo, and Ohm craters never seen by human eyes.
  • On Tuesday, April 7, NASA scientists will convene with the crew to review findings while observations remain fresh, after astronauts finish capturing photos and recording data on key lunar landmarks.
  • Artemis III targets launch next year to test commercial lunar landers from Blue Origin or SpaceX, continuing the phased exploration plan to expand humanity's permanent lunar presence.
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NASA announced it has re-established contact with the Artemis 2 team after losing signal for 40 minutes while passing the far side of the moon. They have begun recording images and studying the far side of the moon's surface from a perspective never before seen by humans.

Idaho State JournalIdaho State Journal
+11 Reposted by 11 other sources
Center

Artemis II astronauts kick off record-breaking trip around the moon that promises unprecedented views of the far side

Artemis II astronauts kick off record-breaking trip around the moon that promises unprecedented views of the far side.

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USA Today broke the news in United States on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
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