WATCH LIVE: Artemis II crew to get first glimpse of the dark side of the moon
NASA
Live coverage of the flyby event will begin at 1 p.m. ET Monday and continue through 9:45 p.m. ET.
The seven-hour lunar observation period will begin around 2:45 p.m. ET, and the astronauts are expected to reach their closest approach to the lunar surface around 7 p.m. At their closest distance, NASA said, the moon will appear to the astronauts about the size of a basketball held at arm’s length.
On Monday morning, NASA posted two photos of the inside of the spaceship with the caption: “Morning routine: Wake up, shave, make the bed, witness something that’s never before been seen by human eyes.”
“The Artemis II crew is preparing for today’s lunar flyby, when they will see the Moon’s far side,” the caption continued.
NASA reported that the crew received a message from the late Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell as they prepared for this historic day. The message, recorded before Lovell’s passing last year, said:
Hello, Artemis II! This is Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell. Welcome to my old neighborhood! When Frank Borman, Bill Anders, and I orbited the moon on Apollo 8, we got humanity’s first up-close look at the moon and got a view of the home planet that inspired and united people around the world. I’m proud to pass that torch on to you — as you swing around the moon and lay the groundwork for missions to Mars … for the benefit of all. It’s a historic day, and I know how busy you’ll be. But don’t forget to enjoy the view. So, Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy, and all the great teams supporting you — good luck and Godspeed from all of us here on the good Earth.
The Orion spacecraft is expected to depart the Moon’s sphere of influence on Tuesday afternoon at a distance of 41,072 miles.
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