Artemis II astronauts race to set a new distance record from Earth and behold the moon's far side
06.04.2026
With the moon looming ever larger, the Artemis II astronauts raced to set a new distance record Monday from Earth on a lunar fly-around promising magnificent views of the far side never seen before by eye. The six-hour flyby is the highlight of NASA's first return to the moon since the Apollo era with three Americans and one Canadian — a step toward landing boot prints near the moon's south pole in just two years. A prize — and bragging rights — awaits Artemis II.