Artemis II astronauts approach the Moon and show footage of Earth

The Artemis II astronauts have left Earth orbit and are approaching the Moon. The crew is more than halfway there and has captured unique images of Earth from space.

NASA reports this.

The institution noted that the third day of the flight has ended, and the crew is closer to the Moon than to the Earth.

“We can now see the Moon from the docking hatch. It’s a magnificent sight,” NASA said.

According to information, astronauts left Earth orbit for the first time since 1972 and headed towards the Moon.

Mission commander Reed Wiseman took the images after completing the final engine fire that put the Orion spacecraft on a flight trajectory to the Moon.

The released images, in particular, capture the Earth’s atmospheric glow, which occurs during solar eclipses, as well as the boundary between day and night, known as the terminator.

According to mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, the crew actively took photographs during the flight.

“The crew was glued to the windows,” he said.

“We can see the Moon out of the docking hatch right now. It’s a beautiful sight.”

Flight day 3 is in the books, and our @NASAArtemis II crew is now closer to the Moon than to Earth. Check out highlights from our lunar mission. What’s been your favorite moment so far? pic.twitter.com/mIF343JyX3

— NASA (@NASA) April 4, 2026

It is noted that the Artemis II mission is moving along a trajectory that will allow it to fly around the far side of the Moon and return to Earth.

The day before, NASA published new photos of Earth taken by Orion commander Reed Wiseman during the Artemis II mission , the first manned flight around the Moon in over 50 years.

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