The crew of Artemis II shared a collection of stunning photographs taken during their historic lunar mission. Among the images are unique perspectives of the moon, a solar eclipse, and Earth, offering a glimpse into life inside the Orion capsule during their journey.
Astronaut and Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman snapped an early photo of Earth from the Orion spacecraft’s window, providing a captivating view. Additionally, images reminiscent of Apollo 8’s iconic “Earthrise” shot from 1968 were captured during the crew’s flyby of the moon.
As the spacecraft approached for a lunar flyby, a close-up image of the moon’s near side was taken, showcasing dark patches of ancient lava. Another picture displayed a fully illuminated view of the moon, presenting both the near and far sides.
During their observation of the moon, the crew captured images revealing the moon’s rugged terrain, including craters, ridges, and basins. Notably, a photo of the Vavilov Crater on the moon’s surface was also obtained.
In a unique moment, the crew witnessed a solar eclipse from space, capturing the moon fully eclipsing the sun. They safely viewed the event using eclipse glasses. The crew also photographed the Milky Way galaxy during their mission.
Amid their lunar observations, the crew paused for a group selfie and showcased moments of everyday life aboard the spacecraft, such as shaving and gazing out at Earth. As their journey around the moon concluded, the crew celebrated with a heartwarming group hug.