NASA shares 1st images of Artemis II lunar flyby, including Earthset
NASA has shared the first photos from the Artemis II crew's historic lunar flyby, including a stunning image of Earth.
The photo shows the crew's view of an Earthset as the planet disappears beyond the lunar horizon and the astronauts make their way to the far side of the moon.
First photo from the far side of the moon captured from Orion as Earth dips beyond the lunar horizon, April 6, 2026.
NASA
The photo bears a striking resemblance to "Earthrise," a photo taken in 1968 from lunar orbit by astronaut William Anders during the Apollo 8 mission, which was the first crewed mission to reach the moon.
The Earth rises above the moon in a picture known as Earthrise taken by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders on December 24, 1968.
William Anders/NASA
Apr 06, 2026, 10:59 PM EDT
Trump speaks with Artemis II astronauts: 'You've made history'
President Donald Trump called the Artemis II astronauts after the historic lunar flyby on Monday and invited them to the Oval Office upon their return to Earth.
“Today you’ve made history and made all America really proud, incredibly proud,” Trump said. “We have a lot of things to be proud of lately, but this is, there’s nothing like what you’re doing circling around the moon for the first time in more than half a century and breaking the all-time record for the farthest distance from planet Earth.”
After inviting the astronauts to visit the White House, Trump said, "I’ll ask for your autograph ... I don’t really ask for autographs much, but you deserve that."
President Donald Trump holds a press conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, April 6, 2026.
Evan Vucci/Reuters
"I look forward to having you in the Oval Office at the White House, and we will celebrate your incredible achievements and trials," the president said.
The president also said the U.S. will “establish a permanent presence on the moon” one day in the future, as well as “push on to Mars,” though he recognized that the latter feat may not necessarily occur during his administration.
“We'll plant our flag once again, and this time we won't just leave footprints, we'll establish a permanent presence on the moon, and we'll push on to Mars, that'll be very exciting. I'm waiting for that so much. I'd love to be here, but maybe we won't quite make it in terms of timing,” Trump said.
Apr 06, 2026, 9:59 PM EDT
Solar eclipse, lunar flyby conclude
The total solar eclipse has ended and the lunar flyby has concluded, NASA said. The Artemis II crew is now beginning the return trip home.
On Tuesday, the Orion spacecraft will exit the lunar sphere of influence at approximately 1:25 p.m. ET -- about 41,072 miles from the moon, according to the space agency.
The Orion spacecraft begins in journey back to Earth after flying past the back side of the Moon, April 6, 2026.
NASA
Apr 06, 2026, 9:43 PM EDT
Crater on far side of moon named in honor of astronaut's late wife
The Artemis II crew named a crater on the moon, sitting on the boundary of the near side and far side, after mission commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.
Carroll Wiseman passed away in 2020 after a five-year battle with cancer, according to her obituary.
"We lost a loved one. Her name was Carroll. The spouse of Reid, the mother of Katie and Ellie," Canadian Space Agency astronaut and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen said earlier on Monday, tearing up. "It's a bright spot on the moon. And we would like to call it Carroll."
The Artemis II crew named a crater on the moon, sitting on the boundary of the near side and far side, after mission commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.
Wiseman family
The crew shared a long group hug afterwards.
For another crater on the far side of the moon, Hansen said the crew would like to name it "Integrity," in honor of the name the astronauts have given the spacecraft that carried them farther into space than any other human in history.
