NASA’s Artemis II mission has now crossed one of its biggest checkpoints yet: Orion has entered the Moon’s sphere of influence, which means lunar gravity is now the main force shaping the spacecraft’s path. That is the moment a moon mission starts to feel very real. After launching on April 1, this four-person crew is no longer just heading toward the Moon in theory. They are now in the phase that leads directly into the lunar flyby, the distance record, and the most watched part of the mission so far.
Why This Milestone Matters
This is not a landing mission, but it is still historic. Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years, and it is the first time astronauts have flown aboard the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft together. NASA says the mission is designed to prove the systems needed for deep-space human travel before later Artemis missions push toward surface operations.
What Happens During The Lunar Flyby
The next major sequence is packed. NASA’s schedule shows live lunar flyby coverage beginning April 6, followed by the crew passing Apollo 13’s long-standing distance mark, then a long observation window of both the near and far sides of the Moon. Closest approach is expected at about 7:02 p.m. EDT, with Orion reaching its maximum distance from Earth minutes later at roughly 252,757 miles. There is also a planned communications blackout of around 40 minutes while the spacecraft moves behind the Moon.
What NASA Wants To Learn
Science, Systems, And Crew Performance
NASA is treating this as a full deep-space test. The crew has already completed spacesuit checks, mobility evaluations, leak checks, and procedure reviews tied to emergency readiness and splashdown survival. Scientists have also sent the astronauts a list of lunar targets to photograph and study, including the Orientale basin and Hertzsprung basin, two features that could help researchers compare how giant impact structures age over time.
What Comes After The Flyby
After the Moon pass, Orion will depart the lunar sphere of influence on April 7, the crew will debrief with science teams, and mission controllers will begin return-trajectory operations. If the timeline holds, NASA currently expects a splashdown off the coast of San Diego on Friday, April 10, followed by recovery operations aboard the USS John P. Murtha. Right now, Artemis II feels less like a rehearsal and more like a statement: NASA is back in deep space, and this mission is setting the tone for what comes next.
FAQs
What is Artemis II doing right now?
It is flying around the Moon after entering lunar influence, preparing for its closest pass today.
Will Artemis II land on the Moon?
No, this mission is a crewed lunar flyby built to test deep-space systems safely first.
Why is breaking Apollo 13’s record important?
It shows Orion can carry humans farther from Earth than any mission in history.
What will the crew observe near the Moon?
They will photograph lunar basins, compare geology, and document views of both moon sides.
When is Artemis II expected to return?
NASA currently expects splashdown near San Diego on April 10, pending final mission updates.
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