NASA: Artemis II is already closer to the moon than the Earth

During Monday's flight, the crew is expected to witness a rare 53-minute solar eclipse from deep space, providing a unique prospect for the mission.

The sun will pass behind the moon from their perspective, creating a solar eclipse that is very unique to this mission”, said Science Flight Artemia Director Dr. Kelsey Young.

Officials say the mission is a key step towards a long-term human presence across the Earth.

“I hope people say that this made possible an ongoing presence on the moon, that we now live and work regularly on the moon after 50 years of”, said Flight of Artemis II Flight Director Jude Friedeling.

“The crew feels very well up here on our way to the moon”, said astronaut Jeremy Hansen. “Humanization has shown again what it is capable of. ”

You can see the whole globe from pole to pole, you can see Africa, Europe and, if you look closely, the northern lights”, said the commander of Artemis II, Reid Wissman, in a live transmission from space, describing the moment when the crew saw Earth as a whole. “Was the most spectacular moment of our life”, he said, stressing that the Earth looked wonderful from above.

The capsule with the four astronauts is expected to arrive near the moon on April 6th. The images outside their windows will become increasingly inspiring and beautiful.

While NASA's team of Artemis II will not make a landing on the moon, their mission will pave the way for future human steps on the lunar surface. NASA says that during this mission, the crew will explore and photograph geological features”, which will help future missions explore the region of the moon's South Pole. /Periscope