Artemis II Astronauts Make Historic Call to Space Station from Lunar Orbit

The crew continues their journey home after a successful flyby of the moon.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:13pm

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A bold, abstract painting in the style of Hilma af Klint, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals in earthy tones of blue, green, and ochre, conveying the structural order and complex forces of deep space exploration.The Artemis II crew's historic lunar flyby and long-distance call to the International Space Station represent a new era of deep space connectivity and collaboration.San Diego Today

The Artemis II astronauts, still riding high from their historic lunar flyby, made the first-ever moonship-to-space station radio call on Tuesday as they headed back to Earth. The four-person crew connected with the International Space Station's three NASA and one French astronaut, including Christina Koch and Jessica Meir, who had previously conducted the world's first all-female spacewalk together.

Why it matters

This long-distance communication between the Artemis II crew and the space station marks a significant milestone in humanity's return to deep space exploration. It demonstrates the growing connectivity between various space missions and outposts, paving the way for future collaborations and joint operations.

The details

NASA's Mission Control arranged the historic call, allowing the Artemis II astronauts to share their experiences and photos from the lunar flyby with their counterparts aboard the space station. The highlight was an 'Earthset' image reminiscent of the iconic 'Earthrise' shot from the Apollo 8 mission in 1968.

  • On Tuesday, the Artemis II crew made the long-distance call to the International Space Station.
  • The Artemis II mission is set to conclude with a splashdown off the coast of San Diego on Friday.

The players

Artemis II

The second mission in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon.

International Space Station

The orbiting laboratory that has been continuously occupied by astronauts since 2000, serving as a hub for scientific research and technological development.

Reid Wiseman

The commander of the Artemis II mission, who has been sharing images and updates from the lunar flyby.

Christina Koch

An astronaut aboard the International Space Station, who previously conducted the world's first all-female spacewalk with Jessica Meir.

Jessica Meir

An astronaut aboard the International Space Station, who previously conducted the world's first all-female spacewalk with Christina Koch.

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What’s next

The Artemis II mission is set to conclude with a splashdown off the coast of San Diego on Friday, setting the stage for next year's Artemis III mission, which will include a lunar lander docking demonstration in orbit around Earth. Artemis IV is planned for 2028, with two astronauts attempting to land near the lunar south pole.

The takeaway

The successful Artemis II lunar flyby and the historic communication between the crew and the International Space Station represent significant milestones in humanity's return to deep space exploration. These achievements pave the way for future collaborative missions and further advancements in lunar exploration.