Artemis II mission returns stunning images, prepares for next steps

Chicago experts share insights on the historic moon voyage and what's ahead for the Artemis program.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:21pm

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A bold, abstract painting in muted earth tones depicting the structural order of the Artemis II mission's journey around the moon, with sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals conveying the complex forces at play.The Artemis II mission's historic journey around the moon has provided invaluable data to guide future lunar exploration efforts.Chicago Today

For the first time since 1972, humans traveled to the moon this week as part of the Artemis II mission. The four astronauts on board captured stunning images of the lunar surface, providing a new perspective that even advanced cameras cannot fully replicate. While this was not a landing mission, the crew's experiences and the performance of the Orion spacecraft will inform future Artemis flights, including the planned Artemis III mission scheduled for 2027.

Why it matters

The Artemis program represents NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the moon, paving the way for future deep space exploration. The successful Artemis II mission marks a major milestone, demonstrating the capabilities of the new Orion spacecraft and providing valuable insights that will shape the next phase of lunar exploration.

The details

During the Artemis II mission, the four astronauts traveled around the far side of the moon, capturing images that stunned the world. Hunter Miller, a public observing educator at the Adler Planetarium, noted that the astronauts were able to see parts of the moon that have only been seen through imaging before, but never with the human eye. The crew also reported seeing a higher number of meteor impacts on the lunar surface than expected.

  • Artemis II, the first crewed mission of the Artemis program, launched on November 16, 2026.
  • The Artemis II spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on November 27, 2026, completing the historic mission.
  • Artemis III, another test flight, is scheduled to blast off in 2027.

The players

Hunter Miller

A public observing educator at the Adler Planetarium who provided insights on the Artemis II mission.

Artemis II Crew

The four astronauts who traveled to the moon as part of the Artemis II mission, capturing stunning images of the lunar surface.

NASA

The U.S. space agency responsible for the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon.

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What they’re saying

“They were seeing parts of the moon that we've seen with imaging before but never to the human eye. And they intentionally went far enough away from the moon that they could see the entire disc of the moon.”

— Hunter Miller, Public Observing Educator, Adler Planetarium

“These are bright flashes of light on the moon's surface as little bits of rock from space interact with the moon.”

— Hunter Miller, Public Observing Educator, Adler Planetarium

What’s next

Artemis III, another test flight, is scheduled to blast off in 2027. The experiences and data gathered from the Artemis II mission will help inform the design and planning for the next phase of lunar exploration.

The takeaway

The successful Artemis II mission represents a significant milestone in NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the moon. The stunning images captured by the astronauts and their firsthand experiences will provide valuable insights that will shape the future of the Artemis program, paving the way for more advanced lunar exploration and potential future missions to Mars.