Artemis II Crew Captures Stunning Earth Views

Astronauts aboard Artemis II have shared striking images of Earth as they continue on humanity’s first crewed journey toward the moon in more than five decades.

The photos, released by NASA on Friday, were transmitted around a day and a half after launch and offered a breathtaking glimpse of Earth from deep space.

One image, taken by mission commander Reid Wiseman, showed part of the curved Earth through the spacecraft window. Another captured the full planet, with its blue oceans, swirling white clouds and even a faint green aurora visible from orbit.

NASA officials said the mission was progressing smoothly and described the images as a powerful reminder of Earth’s fragility and beauty.

By Friday afternoon, the four-member crew — three Americans and one Canadian — had travelled more than 110,000 miles (180,000 kilometres) from Earth and were steadily moving closer to the moon, with roughly 150,000 miles (240,000 kilometres) still to go.

Travelling aboard the Orion spacecraft, the astronauts are expected to reach the moon’s vicinity on Monday. The mission will see them circle the moon before returning to Earth, without attempting a lunar landing.

The spacecraft was placed on its planned path following a crucial engine burn shortly after launch.

After a repositioning manoeuvre directed by Mission Control, the crew were treated to a sweeping view of the fully illuminated Earth through the spacecraft windows, with visible northern lights adding to the spectacle.

Wiseman described the moment as unforgettable, saying it brought the entire crew to a standstill.

The mission marks the first time humans have travelled toward the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, reviving crewed deep-space exploration and paving the way for future lunar landings.