Canadian astronaut helps set distance record as Artemis II heads back to Earth
A Canadian astronaut has helped make history as the Artemis II mission completed its flyby of the moon and began the journey back to Earth.
Jeremy Hansen and his three crewmates broke the record Monday for the farthest humans have ever travelled from Earth, reaching more than 406-thousand kilometres from the planet.
The milestone surpasses the previous record set during Apollo 13 in 1970.
The crew also reached its closest point to the moon Monday evening, becoming the first humans to see parts of the lunar far side with the naked eye.
During the flyby, the astronauts spent hours capturing images and recording observations, including views of the moon’s surface and planets in the distance.
The mission included a planned 40-minute communications blackout as the Orion spacecraft passed behind the moon.
“It is so great to hear from Earth again,” mission specialist Christina Koch said after contact was restored.
The crew also witnessed a solar eclipse from space as the moon blocked the sun, with astronauts describing the views as “spectacular” and “surreal.”
The spacecraft has now turned back toward Earth, with the 10-day mission expected to end with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on Friday.
