NASA’s Artemis II crew reached a historic milestone on Monday. According to The Verge, the crew traveled more than 248,655 miles from Earth just before 2:00 p.m. local time, officially surpassing the deep-space distance record set 56 years ago by the Apollo 13 mission.
The mission, which launched on April 1, is scheduled to return to Earth on April 11. During their lunar orbit, the crew shared a poignant moment with ground control via a NASA livestream. Mission specialist Jeremy Hansen announced that the crew had decided to name two craters on the moon. The first was named after their spacecraft, 'Integrity.'
The second naming carried deep personal significance. During the broadcast, Hansen stated, "Years ago, when we began this journey, we lost a loved one within our tight-knit astronaut family. Her name was Carroll—Reid’s spouse, and the mother of Katie and Ellie."
Located at the transition point between the near and far sides of the moon, the crater was described by Hansen as a "bright spot" on the lunar surface. Carroll Wiseman, the wife of mission commander Reid Wiseman, passed away from cancer in 2020 at the age of 46. Following the announcement, the crew shared an emotional embrace in zero gravity.
Lighthearted Moments in Space
Beyond the moving naming ceremony, the Artemis II voyage has included some lighter moments. According to Kotaku, as the crew approached the distance record on April 6, a jar of Nutella "escaped" from storage and floated into view on the livestream, quickly becoming a hit with online viewers.
Additionally, astronaut Christina Koch gave the public a look at their space menu, which consists primarily of dehydrated food packaged in plastic pouches. These broadcasts have provided a refreshing dose of positivity to the internet.
Formal naming applications for the two craters have been submitted to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the body responsible for naming planetary surface features. The crew’s interactions from orbit not only demonstrate the resilience of human space exploration but also offer the public a glimpse into the humanity and warmth behind such a rigorous mission.
