Artemis astronauts begin fifth day on historic Moon mission

Astronauts aboard Artemis II have entered the fifth day of their historic journey to the Moon, already witnessing parts of the lunar surface never before seen directly by humans.

According to NASA, the crew’s Orion spacecraft was approximately 215,000 miles (346,000 kilometers) from Earth and about 65,000 miles from the Moon as they continued their 10-day mission.

The day began with a ceremonial wake-up message from Charlie Duke, who walked on the Moon during the Apollo 16 mission. Duke shared a message of encouragement, noting that people around the world are supporting the crew as they build on the legacy of the Apollo era.

Earlier, NASA released a striking image captured by the astronauts showing a distant view of the Moon, including the massive Orientale basin — a vast crater formation never before observed directly by human eyes, though previously photographed by orbiting spacecraft.

Astronaut Christina Koch described the moment as a highlight of the mission, calling the basin — often referred to as the Moon’s “Grand Canyon” — one of the most exciting sights for the crew. She shared the experience during a live session with students organised by the Canadian Space Agency.

The mission is approaching a critical milestone, as the spacecraft is expected to soon enter the Moon’s gravitational “sphere of influence,” where lunar gravity becomes stronger than Earth’s pull.

If all proceeds as planned, the astronauts — Koch, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — could set a new record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth by humans during their flyby.

Critical Systems Testing Underway

NASA confirmed that the crew has successfully conducted a manual piloting demonstration and reviewed detailed plans for their lunar flyby, including identifying key surface features for observation and imaging.

The mission is also focused on testing the spacecraft’s life support systems, a critical step as astronauts fly aboard Orion for the first time.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said gathering data on the spacecraft’s performance remains a top priority, particularly as it will inform future missions.

On day five, astronauts are scheduled to test their bright orange “survival suits,” which are designed for use during launch, re-entry, and emergency scenarios such as cabin depressurisation. The tests include pressurisation checks, mobility assessments, and simulations of in-flight operations like eating and drinking while suited.

Although Artemis II will not land on the Moon, the mission is expected to break distance records as the spacecraft travels around the lunar far side.

The data collected will play a crucial role in preparing for future missions, including Artemis III, targeted for 2027, and Artemis IV, which aims to achieve a crewed lunar landing in 2028.

As the mission progresses, scientists and engineers anticipate gaining vital insights that will shape the next phase of human exploration beyond Earth.