The astronauts of NASA’s Artemis mission have reached a crucial moment in their journey to the Moon, entering the final phase before their historic lunar flyby.
As of early Monday, the Orion spacecraft crossed into what scientists call the Moon’s “sphere of influence” – the point at which lunar gravity begins to exert a stronger pull than Earth’s.
This quiet but significant milestone signals that the crew are now firmly under the Moon’s gravitational sway, setting the stage for a dramatic loop around our celestial neighbour. In doing so, they are preparing to travel farther from Earth than any human has ever ventured.
At around 04h42 UT, the spacecraft was approximately 39,000 miles from the Moon and 232,000 miles from Earth, according to NASA officials.
The upcoming flyby will be the first time humans have passed close to the Moon since 1972, marking a return to deep space exploration after more than five decades.
The mission is already one for the history books. Victor Glover will become the first person of colour to orbit the Moon, while Christina Koch is set to be the first woman to do so. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will also make history as the first non-American on such a journey. Together with mission commander Reid Wiseman, the four astronauts are not only pushing boundaries but reshaping who gets to explore space.
New age of Moon exploration underway as NASA's Artemis mission blasts off
Far side discoveries
Even before reaching the closest point of their flyby, the crew have begun to witness lunar features never before seen directly by human eyes. Among the highlights is the Orientale basin, a vast impact crater often described as the Moon’s “Grand Canyon”.
Previously captured only by robotic missions, the basin’s full expanse has now been observed by astronauts in person for the first time. Koch, speaking during a live call with Canadian schoolchildren, described the experience with clear excitement, noting how distinctive the formation is and how remarkable it felt to see it firsthand.
As the spacecraft continues its journey, the astronauts will also witness a striking cosmic alignment – a solar eclipse viewed from space. During this moment, the Sun will slip behind the Moon, leaving only its glowing outer atmosphere, the corona, visible. It promises to be both a scientific opportunity and a breathtaking spectacle.
Artemis heads to the Moon as old rivals race to stake their claim
Testing systems for the future
While the views are extraordinary, the mission’s core purpose remains firmly practical. The crew are conducting a series of tests on Orion’s systems, gathering crucial data that will underpin future lunar missions.
One key focus is the Orion crew survival system spacesuit. These bright orange suits, designed primarily for launch and re-entry, can sustain astronauts for up to six days in an emergency. This marks the first time they have been worn and tested in space, with astronauts evaluating how quickly they can be donned and pressurised.
The mission also includes manual piloting exercises and detailed observation of the lunar surface. The astronauts are working through a carefully planned schedule of photography and analysis, ensuring that every moment of the flyby contributes to future exploration efforts.
Although Artemis will not land on the Moon, it is expected to set a new distance record for human spaceflight during its journey around the far side. For a time, the crew will be completely out of contact with Earth, a reminder of both the challenges and the thrill of deep space travel.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has emphasised the importance of the data being collected, describing it as vital for upcoming missions such as Artemis 3 in 2027 and Artemis 4 in 2028, which aim to return humans to the lunar surface.
(with newswires)
