Artemis II Astronauts Set New Distance Record

The crew of NASA's Artemis II mission have traveled farther from Earth than any previous human spaceflight.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:21am

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft, flat colors depicting sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise orbital spirals, conceptually representing the Artemis II spacecraft's record-breaking journey to the Moon.The Artemis II spacecraft's record-breaking journey to the Moon, visualized through a bold, abstract scientific diagram.Lincoln Today

The four astronauts aboard NASA's Artemis II mission have now traveled farther from Earth than any previous human spaceflight, surpassing the record set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970. The Artemis II spacecraft is currently on a trajectory around the Moon, preparing for a return to Earth in the coming days.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a critical step in NASA's plan to return humans to the lunar surface, with the ultimate goal of establishing a sustainable presence on and around the Moon. Reaching this new distance record demonstrates the capabilities of the new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket, paving the way for future Artemis missions and potential long-duration missions to the Moon and beyond.

The details

The Artemis II spacecraft, carrying four astronauts, reached a maximum distance of 432,194 kilometers (268,563 miles) from Earth on April 6, 2026. This surpasses the previous record of 400,171 kilometers (248,655 miles) set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970. The Artemis II crew is now preparing for their return to Earth, with a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean in the coming days.

  • On April 6, 2026, the Artemis II spacecraft reached a maximum distance of 432,194 kilometers (268,563 miles) from Earth.
  • The previous record of 400,171 kilometers (248,655 miles) was set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970.

The players

Artemis II

NASA's second crewed mission to the Moon as part of the Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on and around the lunar surface.

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the country's civilian space program, including the Artemis missions.

Apollo 13

A NASA crewed spaceflight that was intended to be the third mission to land astronauts on the Moon, but was aborted due to an oxygen tank explosion, though the crew safely returned to Earth.

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What they’re saying

“Reaching this new distance record is a significant milestone for the Artemis program and demonstrates the capabilities of our new spacecraft and launch system.”

— Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator

What’s next

The Artemis II crew is now preparing for their return to Earth, with a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean in the coming days. NASA will then assess the performance of the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket, paving the way for future Artemis missions, including the planned Artemis III mission that will attempt to land astronauts on the lunar surface.

The takeaway

The successful Artemis II mission, including the new distance record, represents a significant milestone in NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence there. This achievement demonstrates the technological capabilities of the new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket, building confidence in the Artemis program's ability to achieve its goals.