Artemis II Astronauts Break Distance Record, Reach 252,021 Miles From Earth
The four astronauts on NASA's Artemis II mission broke the record for farthest humans have traveled from Earth, reaching 252,021 miles during their moon flyby. They beat the previous record of 248,655 miles set by Apollo 13 astronauts in 1970.
Four astronauts aboard NASA's Artemis II spacecraft made history by traveling farther from Earth than any human before them. At approximately 1:57 p.m. ET, the crew surpassed the distance record of 248,655 miles set by Apollo 13 astronauts in April 1970.
The Artemis II crew ultimately reached 252,021 miles from Earth, beating the Apollo 13 record by 3,366 miles. Different sources report the margin as between 3,366 and 4,100 miles due to varying measurement points during the mission.
The Apollo 13 record was set during an emergency return to Earth in 1970, when that mission's planned moon landing was aborted. The Artemis II mission represents the first time humans have left Earth's orbit since the Apollo program ended.
This flyby mission is part of NASA's broader plan to return astronauts to the moon's surface and eventually launch missions to Mars. The success of Artemis II paves the way for future lunar landings.
This marks the first time in over 50 years that humans have traveled beyond Earth's orbit. The mission brings NASA closer to landing astronauts on the moon again and eventually sending people to Mars.
NASA will analyze mission data to prepare for Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the moon's surface.
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