Astronauts aboard Artemis II have captured breathtaking images of Earth, revealing the planet’s vivid blue beauty as they continue their gradual approach toward the Moon.
The mission, launched just two days ago, marks a historic return to human lunar travel for the first time in more than half a century.
It is the first crewed journey toward the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, which remains the last time humans traveled to the lunar surface.
1972 ➡️2026
Apollo 17 ➡️ Artemis II pic.twitter.com/wGc2wtY0e2
— NASA (@NASA) April 3, 2026
NASA released the first images transmitted from the spacecraft on Friday, approximately a day and a half after liftoff.
One photograph, taken by mission commander Reid Wiseman, shows a curved portion of Earth through a spacecraft window.
Another striking image captures the full planet, with vast oceans blanketed by swirling white clouds and illuminated by a glowing green aurora, an extraordinary scene.
Commenting on the images, NASA official Lakiesha Hawkins said, “It is remarkable to realize that, aside from four individuals, every person on Earth is represented in this image,” confirming that the mission continues to proceed as planned.
1972 ➡️2026
Apollo 17 ➡️ Artemis II pic.twitter.com/wGc2wtY0e2
— NASA (@NASA) April 3, 2026
According to NASA data, the crew was more than 110,000 miles (approximately 180,000 kilometers) from Earth as of Friday evening, steadily closing in on the Moon, which remains about 150,000 miles (240,000 kilometers) away. The spacecraft is expected to reach its closest approach on Monday.
The crew consists of three American astronauts and one Canadian, traveling aboard the Orion spacecraft. The mission will see them fly around the Moon before returning to Earth without landing.
The first woman to leave Earth orbit pic.twitter.com/dPoCWrdOtT
— TJ Cooney 🚀 (@TJ_Cooney) April 4, 2026
The spacecraft executed a critical engine burn on Thursday evening, placing it firmly on its trajectory toward the Moon. Ground control later adjusted its orientation, allowing the crew to capture a full view of Earth through the windows, coinciding with a rare sighting of the aurora from deep space.
Recalling the moment, Wiseman said in a television interview, “It was an absolutely stunning experience, we all just stopped and took it in.”
The mission represents a major step in humanity’s renewed push toward deep space exploration and a future return to the lunar surface.
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