The Artemis II mission has achieved a new human spaceflight milestone, traveling farther from Earth than any crew in history. The Orion capsule, named 'Integrity,' surpassed the Apollo 13 record of 248,655 miles (400,171 kilometers) set in 1970.
During its loop around the moon, the mission reached a maximum distance of 252,760 miles (406,777 kilometers) from Earth. The crew also identified a crater on the moon's near side, requesting it be named 'Carroll' in memory of Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman's late wife. Another crater was proposed to be named 'Integrity' after the capsule.
The four astronauts-Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen-are photographing approximately 30 science targets on the lunar surface, including the Orientale and Hertzsprung basins. This mission offers a unique vantage point for lunar geology, providing fresh, close-range views from multiple angles.