Science

The Artemis II astronauts are now headed back to Earth after successfully completing a lunar flyby that took them further into deep space than any previous human mission. NASA says the journey is providing unprecedented, firsthand views of the moon's far side. It was a significant step toward landing boot prints near the moon’s south pole in just two years. LiveNOW’s Anna Marsick is speaking with Dr. David Alexander, the Director of the Rice Space Institute, as the astronauts continue to share important moments from their journey so far. 

The Artemis II mission has now traveled farther into space from Earth than any previous human spaceflight, surpassing the distance set by Apollo 13 in 1970. The mission to the moon and back is expected to last 10 days. We are now learning that President Donald Trump is speaking with the Artemis II crew after they made their way around the dark side of the moon on Monday. 

The Artemis II mission has now traveled farther into space from Earth than any previous human spaceflight, surpassing the distance set by Apollo 13 in 1970. NASA reestablished communication with the Orion spacecraft after a 40-minute blackout as the Artemis II crew now begins their return journey back home to Earth. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is getting the latest updates on the ongoing moon mission with Jack Kiraly, Director of Government Relations at the Planetary Society. 

On Monday, April 6, Artemis II's astronauts officially traveled more than 248,655 miles from Earth, breaking the previous distance record set by the historic Apollo 13 mission in 1970. According to NASA, Artemis II is also the first human crew to fly on the far side of the moon. LiveNOW was watching as Artemis II lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 1. The crew is expected to splashdown off the coast of San Diego, California on Friday, April 10. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is learning all about what it means to get to space and back down to Earth with legendary former astronaut, Chris Hadfield. 

NASA has now announced that the Artemis II astronauts and Orion spacecraft are more than two-thirds of the distance to the moon's lunar surface as their historic lunar mission continues. Artemis II will reach the moon on Monday, April 6, 2026 where the crew will then participate in a six-hour lunar flyby. That's when the Orion spacecraft's main cabin windows will be pointed to the moon. The mission is the first crewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft, working to evaluate NASA's capabilities for deep space travel. 

We are now watching as the Artemis II astronauts and Orion spacecraft are more than two-thirds of the distance to the moon's lunar surface according to the latest updates from NASA. Currently, the lunar flyby is scheduled for Monday afternoon, April 6, 2026, when Orion's main window will be pointed towards the moon's surface. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is watching as NASA continues to share a new images taken during the Artemis II mission. 

We are now watching for the latest updates after Artemis II lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending four astronauts on a 10-day mission into deep space, around the moon, and back to Earth. It's the second flight in the Artemis program, as well as the latest step towards landing humans back on the moon. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is getting reactions from space journalist Leonard David as Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen begin their historic journey. 

NASA is counting down to a historic milestone as the first potential launch window for the Artemis II mission is set to open this Wednesday at 6:24 p.m. The Artemis II lunar mission will be NASA's first crewed launch to the moon in 50 years. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is speaking with former NASA Deputy Administrator, Lori Garver, as mission controllers continue to monitor breezy onshore winds and potential cumulus cloud growth right up until the countdown reaches zero. 

We are now watching a NASA press conference dedicated to preparations for Artemis II ahead of the April 1 lunar fly-around launch attempt. The second mission for the Artemis program will send four astronauts around the moon aboard the Orion spacecraft. Reports indicate that Orion will not land on the moon. The mission aims to verify the operation of all the spacecraft's systems during deep space travel with a human crew.