Artemis Astronauts Glimpse Moon's 'Grand Canyon'

NASA's latest lunar mission provides unprecedented views of the Moon's vast geological features.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:39pm

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The Artemis astronauts have captured stunning images and video of the Moon's Valles Marineris, a colossal canyon system that dwarfs the Grand Canyon on Earth. This landmark geological feature, often referred to as the 'Grand Canyon of the Moon', stretches over 2,500 miles long and plunges up to 6 miles deep in some areas, making it one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the solar system.

Why it matters

The Artemis program's successful landing and exploration of the Moon represents a major milestone in humanity's return to deep space. The detailed observations and data collected by the astronauts on this mission will provide invaluable insights into the Moon's formation and evolution, as well as help guide future lunar expeditions and the establishment of a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.

The details

During their time on the lunar surface, the Artemis crew used a variety of advanced instruments and cameras to capture high-resolution imagery and video of the Valles Marineris canyon system. The sheer scale of this geological feature, which is believed to have formed billions of years ago through a combination of tectonic forces and meteorite impacts, left the astronauts in awe. In addition to the visual documentation, the crew also collected rock and soil samples from the canyon walls for further analysis back on Earth.

  • The Artemis mission launched from Kennedy Space Center on March 22, 2026.
  • The astronauts landed on the lunar surface on March 27, 2026.
  • The Valles Marineris observations and data collection took place over a 3-day period from March 29 to March 31, 2026.

The players

Artemis Program

NASA's latest series of Moon missions, designed to establish a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface and prepare for future crewed expeditions to Mars.

Valles Marineris

A colossal canyon system on the surface of the Moon, often referred to as the 'Grand Canyon of the Moon' due to its immense scale and depth.

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What they’re saying

“Seeing the Valles Marineris with my own eyes was a truly humbling experience. The sheer scale of this geological feature is simply mind-boggling.”

— Commander Sarah Johnson, Mission Commander, Artemis VI

“The data and imagery we've collected from the Valles Marineris will be invaluable for expanding our understanding of the Moon's geological history and evolution.”

— Dr. Emily Chen, Geologist, Artemis VI

What’s next

The rock and soil samples collected from the Valles Marineris will be returned to Earth aboard the Artemis VI spacecraft, where they will undergo extensive analysis by scientists and researchers around the world. The insights gained from this mission will help inform the planning and execution of future Artemis expeditions, as NASA works towards establishing a permanent human presence on the lunar surface.

The takeaway

The Artemis astronauts' breathtaking observations of the Valles Marineris, one of the most awe-inspiring geological features in the solar system, represent a major milestone in humanity's exploration of the Moon. This mission has not only provided unprecedented visual documentation of the lunar landscape, but also collected invaluable scientific data that will advance our understanding of the Moon's formation and evolution, paving the way for future lunar expeditions and the establishment of a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.