The crew of Artemis II did it! They flew their Orion spacecraft around the Moon, traveling farther from Earth than any humans in history.

With everything happening around the world, spaceflight may not seem like the most pressing concern. But this moment is historically significant- it marks a decisive step forward and lays the groundwork for even greater achievements. The broader mission is this: return humans to the Moon, establish a sustained presence there, and ultimately set foot on Mars!

Along the way, the mission will yield valuable scientific insight. Researchers will be able to study the Moon’s surface and continue examining the physiological effects of deep space travel, especially radiation exposure. Technological advancements developed through this mission will produce tangible benefits back on Earth.

One day earlier, on Easter Sunday, pilot Victor Glover was asked to share an unplanned Easter message, and it was inspiring as he kept everything in perspective: “I think these observances are important, and as we are so far from Earth and looking back at the beauty of creation, I think, for me, one of the really important, personal perspectives that I have up here is, I can really see earth as one thing and when I read the Bible and look at all of the amazing things that were done for us, who were created, you have this amazing place, this spaceship. You guys are talking to us because we’re in a spaceship really far from Earth, but you’re on a spaceship called Earth that was created to give us a place to live in the universe and the cosmos. Maybe the distance we are from you makes you think what we’re doing is special, but we’re the same distance from you. And I’m trying to tell you – just trust me – you are special. In all of this emptiness- this is a whole bunch of nothing, this thing we call the universe- you have this oasis, this beautiful place that we get to exist together. I think, as we go into Easter Sunday, thinking about all the cultures all around the world, whether you celebrate it or not, whether you believe in God or not, this is an opportunity for us to remember where we are, who we are, and that we are the same thing, and that we’ve gotta get through this together.”

The record-setting lunar flyby maneuver carried the crew approximately 252,756 miles from Earth, surpassing the distance reached during Apollo 13 in 1970. They also experienced an unprecedented view of the Moon’s far side. Astronaut Jeremy Hansen reflected on the moment: “From the cabin of Integrity here, as we surpass the furthest distance humans have ever traveled from planet Earth, we do so in honoring the extraordinary efforts and feats of our predecessors in human space exploration.”

Now the crew is on their journey home. Let’s remember them and keep them in our prayers for a safe return.

Image credit: NASA