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Artemis II Crew Sets New Distance Record for Humans in Space
The four astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission have traveled farther from Earth than any previous human spaceflight.
Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:37pm
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The Artemis II mission's record-breaking journey to the Moon showcases NASA's continued progress in human spaceflight and the agency's ambitious plans for sustainable lunar exploration.Houston TodayThe four-person crew of the Artemis II mission has set a new record for the farthest distance traveled by humans from Earth, surpassing the previous record set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1972. The crew is currently conducting a lunar observation period, studying two massive craters and naming them 'Integrity' and 'Carroll'.
Why it matters
The Artemis II mission is a critical step in NASA's ambitious Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era. Reaching this new distance record demonstrates the capabilities of the Orion spacecraft and brings the agency one step closer to achieving its goal of sustainable lunar exploration.
The details
The four astronauts aboard Artemis II - Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen - have traveled a distance of 252,752 miles from Earth, surpassing the previous record of 248,655 miles set by Apollo 13 in 1972. During their current lunar observation period, the crew is studying two massive craters and naming them 'Integrity' and 'Carroll', the latter after Wiseman's late wife.
- The Artemis II mission launched on April 3, 2026.
- The crew set the new distance record on April 6, 2026.
- The lunar observation period is currently underway.
The players
Artemis II
The second mission in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface.
Reid Wiseman
The commander of the Artemis II mission.
Victor Glover
The pilot of the Artemis II mission.
Christina Koch
A mission specialist on the Artemis II crew.
Jeremy Hansen
A mission specialist on the Artemis II crew.
What they’re saying
“This is a historic moment for our space program and for humanity. We are honored to be a part of this incredible journey.”
— Reid Wiseman, Commander, Artemis II
What’s next
The Artemis II crew will continue their lunar observation period, studying the two craters they named and gathering valuable data to support future Artemis missions. Once their mission is complete, they will begin the journey back to Earth, aiming to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
The takeaway
The record-breaking Artemis II mission is a significant milestone in NASA's ambitious Artemis program, demonstrating the capabilities of the Orion spacecraft and bringing the agency closer to its goal of sustainable lunar exploration. This achievement highlights the continued progress in human spaceflight and the ongoing exploration of the Moon.
