Artemis II Crew Captures Stunning Views of Earth from Space

Fri Apr 03 2026 21:03:24 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

NASA's Artemis II crew, led by Commander Reid Wiseman, has shared breathtaking images of Earth taken during their historic journey around the Moon.

The Artemis II mission has successfully taken high-resolution photographs of Earth from space, marking significant advancements in NASA's lunar exploration efforts. The crew's mission included imaging the Earth and Venus as they executed a trans-lunar injection burn, propelling them towards the Moon. Among the captured images is 'Hello, World,' showcasing a striking view of Earth's atmosphere. The mission represents a leap in space exploration since humans last traveled beyond Earth's orbit in 1972, with a planned return to Earth on April 10.

Artemis II Crew Captures Stunning Views of Earth from Space

NASA's Artemis II crew has taken their first high-resolution images of Earth during a historic mission around the Moon. Commander Reid Wiseman captured the stunning photos after the crew completed a crucial engine burn that set them on a trajectory towards our nearest celestial neighbor.

The primary image, titled 'Hello, World,' reveals the vast blue Atlantic Ocean, framed by a thin atmospheric glow. This photo also showcases green auroras present at both poles, with Earth appearing upside down in the image, featuring the western Sahara and Iberian Peninsula on the left and eastern South America on the right. NASA has also confirmed the bright planet visible in the corner of the frame as Venus.

The images were taken shortly after the crew finalized a trans-lunar injection burn, which propelled the Orion spacecraft out of Earth orbit on a route surpassing 200,000 miles to the Moon. The Artemis II crew aims to loop around the far side of the Moon before returning home on April 10, making this the first human journey beyond Earth's orbit since 1972.

During the voyage, the crew enjoyed incredible views of Earth's dark side lit by the Moon, with excitement resonating as they observed the beauty surrounding their spacecraft. Wiseman humorously requested advice to clean the windows, further emphasizing the astronauts' captivated state as they took in the magnificent sight.