NASA Astronauts Share First Earth Photos From Artemis II Moon Mission
NASA astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission shared their first photos of Earth from space on Thursday, three days into humanity's first crewed journey to the moon since 1972. Mission commander Reid Wiseman took the stunning images using his onboard computer as the crew travels toward the moon.
NASA released the first images taken by astronauts aboard the Artemis II Orion capsule as they journey toward the moon. Mission commander Reid Wiseman captured the photos using his Personal Computing Device while the crew travels through deep space.
"You look amazing, you look beautiful," said Victor Glover, the mission pilot, during a video call with ABC News Thursday night. Glover made history as the first Black astronaut to travel to deep space.
The photos were released on the third day of the mission, marking humanity's return to lunar travel after the Apollo program ended in 1972. The Artemis II crew is flying around the moon but not landing on its surface.
Glover emphasized how seeing Earth from space shows the planet's unity and beauty. The mission represents NASA's broader plan to establish a permanent human presence on the moon and eventually send astronauts to Mars.
The four-person crew is testing systems and procedures that future missions will use to land on the moon's surface.
This marks the return of humans to deep space after more than 50 years. The mission shows America is back in the space race and could lead to permanent moon bases, which might provide resources and stepping stones to Mars that could benefit life on Earth.
The crew will continue their journey around the moon before returning to Earth. NASA plans future Artemis missions to actually land on the lunar surface.
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