The Return Journey

This countdown is coded to return to zero at splashdown. If they are overdue or late for any reason, I have coded the extra time taken to show as a positive number, but the result above shows they were right on time !

Courtesy NASA Notice the outward journey shows green, changing to blue for the trip home.

Nearing the moon's gravitational sphere Courtesy CBC News. Press letter f to toggle between full screen and normal view

On Day 5 of the Artemis II mission, the crew experienced several critical events:

Courtesy NASA, NSS Org

Artemis II astronauts are currently performing a historic lunar flyby, traveling farther from Earth than any humans in history while orbiting the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft.

Mission Overview

NASA's Artemis II mission launched on April 1, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, carrying four astronauts: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialists Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This 10-day mission is the first crewed flight in NASA's Artemis program, designed to test the Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket systems in deep space, paving the way for future lunar landings and long-term lunar presence.

Courtesy Fox News

Historic Lunar Flyby

On April 6, 2026, the crew is conducting a record-breaking lunar flyby, passing approximately 4,070 miles from the Moon's surface and reaching a maximum distance of 252,760 miles from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record. During this flyby, the astronauts will observe both the near and far sides of the Moon, potentially becoming the first humans to see portions of the far side with the naked eye. The flyby includes a planned 40-minute communication blackout as Orion passes behind the Moon.

Courtesy Yahoo

Crew Activities and Observations

The Artemis II crew is actively documenting the lunar surface, expected to take over 10,000 photographs of craters, lava flows, and other geological features. They are also observing historic Apollo landing sites, scouting potential future landing zones, and capturing images of planets and a solar eclipse from Orion’s unique vantage point. The astronauts have been preparing for these observations with suit demonstrations, cabin organization, and rehearsals for photography.

Courtesy CBS News

Life Aboard Orion

Meals aboard Orion are carefully selected to be shelf-stable, safe, and easy to prepare in zero gravity, supporting crew health and performance throughout the mission. The spacecraft is powered by solar arrays built by the European Space Agency, providing electricity for all systems.

Courtesy Good Morning America

Mission Significance

Artemis II is a critical step toward NASA’s goal of returning humans to the Moon’s South Pole and establishing a sustainable lunar base, with Artemis III planned for a 2027 landing. The mission also tests Orion’s systems in deep space, including life support, navigation, and reentry procedures, while applying lessons from Artemis I regarding heat shield performance.

Courtesy NASA

Current Status

As of April 6, 2026, the Orion spacecraft is en route to the Moon, traveling at over 1,100 mph, with the crew awake and preparing for the lunar flyby. The mission is on a precise trajectory, requiring minimal course corrections, and the crew is expected to complete the flyby and begin the return journey to Earth, culminating in a Pacific Ocean splashdown around April 10.