NASA has unveiled a remarkable collection of high-resolution images following the Artemis 2 mission's pioneering lunar flyby. Among these images are breathtaking views of Earthset and Earthrise, highlighting the unique perspective of our planet as it dips behind the moon's horizon.
The photographs were captured during a seven-hour observation phase at the farthest point of the Orion spacecraft's journey, which marked a historic milestone as the first crewed mission around the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. This mission achieved a record distance of 252,756 miles from Earth, venturing more than 4,000 miles beyond the moon.
During the mission, astronauts captured stunning visuals reminiscent of the famous Earthrise photo taken by Bill Anders during Apollo 8 in 1968. The new images evoke a sense of nostalgia while showcasing the collaborative efforts of various facilities, including L3Harris' Aerojet Rocketdyne in Redmond and Karman Space Systems in Mukilteo, which contributed vital components to Orion.
The four astronauts aboard Artemis 2—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—are currently on schedule for staggered off-duty periods as they approach a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on Friday.