Artemis II Reaches Midpoint on Moon Mission, Shares Earth Images

The Artemis II mission has successfully moved along its path towards the Moon. NASA announced that the spacecraft has passed the halfway point between Earth and the Moon.

The astronauts on Artemis II are the first to approach the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. They will not land on the Moon because the mission is a test of the capsule. NASA plans to land humans on the Moon in 2028 and eventually build a base there.

On Friday night, mission control in Houston spoke with the four astronauts inside the Orion capsule. They told the astronauts they were now closer to the Moon than to Earth, being 219,000 kilometres (136,080 miles) away from home.

The crew, made up of American astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen, is on a “free-return” path. This path allows the capsule to use the Moon’s gravity to help it return to Earth without extra fuel.

The astronauts took stunning photographs of Earth during their journey, which NASA shared. They reported that it was a beautiful view. Although it was cold inside the capsule, the astronauts worked together to make it a comfortable home. They also fixed minor problems, including a toilet that briefly malfunctioned.

How much do you know?

What is the primary purpose of the Artemis II mission?

To land on the Moon

To test the capsule

To gather Earth data

To build a Moon base

Which astronauts are part of the Artemis II crew?

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin

Christina Koch and Victor Glover

Sally Ride and Mae Jemison

John Glenn and Alan Shepard

How far away from Earth are the astronauts during their communication with mission control?

150,000 kilometres

200,000 kilometres

219,000 kilometers

250,000 kilometres

When does NASA plan to land humans on the Moon?

2025

2026

2028

2030

What unique path is the Artemis II capsule on?

Direct path

Free-return path

Circular path

Economical path

What did the astronauts photograph during their journey?

Mars

The Moon

Saturn

Earth

The Artemis II mission will land astronauts on the Moon.

True False

The spacecraft has passed the halfway point to the Moon.

True False

The astronauts on Artemis II are the first to approach the Moon since Apollo 17.

True False

The astronauts have reported that it is warm inside the capsule.

True False

The crew includes both American and Canadian astronauts.

True False

NASA plans to build a base on the Moon after the Artemis II mission.

True False

The Artemis II mission has passed the halfway point between Earth and the Moon, making them currently kilometres away from Earth.

NASA plans to land humans on the Moon in and eventually build a base there.

The astronauts on Artemis II will not on the Moon during this mission.

The crew is on a path that allows for a return without extra fuel.

Although it was cold inside the capsule, the astronauts worked together to make it a comfortable .

They also fixed minor problems, including a that briefly malfunctioned.

This question is required