On the first shift during the lunar flyby observation period, the Artemis II crew captured more than two-thirds of the Moon showcasing the intricate features of the nearside. The 600-mile-wide impact crater, Orientale basin, lies along the transition between the near and far sides and is sometimes partly visible from Earth. The round black spot northeast of Orientale is Grimaldi crater, known for its exceptionally dark mare lava floor and heavily degraded rim. 
Source: NASA

The lower half of the Moon hangs suspended in time in this photograph from the Artemis II crew during the lunar flyby observation period. In the upper center of the photo, the Orientale basin is the prominent feature, with a black patch of ancient lava in the center that punched through the Moon’s crust in an eruption billions of years ago.
Source: NASA

In this view of the Moon, the Artemis II crew captured an intricate snapshot of the rings of the Orientale basin, one of the Moon’s youngest and best-preserved large impact craters on his first shift during the lunar flyby observation period.
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Hertzsprung Basin comes into view with its distinctive two concentric rings of mountains, revealing the scale of this ancient impact structure. Near the lower left, Vavilov crater—identified by its central peak—stands out, a feature often described by the Artemis II crew during their lunar flyby.
Source: NASA

The Artemis II crew captured a close-up snapshot of the near side of the Moon as NASA’s Orion spacecraft approached for the lunar flyby. The near side, characterized by the dark patches of ancient lava, is visible on the top third of the lunar disk. Aristarchus crater is the bright white dot in the midst of a dark grey lava flow at the top of the image.
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This view of the southwest portion of Orientale Basin highlights its prominent annular ring—a sweeping arc of mountainous terrain formed by the immense energy of an ancient impact. The ring structure rises above the surrounding surface, tracing the basin’s outer boundary and revealing the layered, multi-ring nature of one of the Moon’s most well-preserved impact features. Apollo-era observers nicknamed this formation “the kiss,” reflecting its distinctive, curved shape.
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NASA’s Orion spacecraft pictured from one of the cameras mounted on its solar array wings. The service module is prominently featured in this image showing a portion of the orbital maneuvering system engine and three of eight auxiliary thrusters. Also pictured is one of the four solar array wings. Each of Orion’s four solar array wings are made of three panels that provide enough electricity to power two three-bedroom homes. 
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NASA’s Orion spacecraft is pictured here from one of the cameras mounted on its solar array wings. At the time this photo was taken at 8:58 a.m. ET, the Artemis II crew was in a sleep period ahead of beginning their seventh day into the mission. 
Source: NASA

NASA’s Orion spacecraft is pictured here from one of the cameras mounted on its solar array wings. At the time this photo was taken at 9:03 a.m. ET, the Artemis II crew was in a sleep period ahead of beginning their seventh day into the mission.
Source: NASA

The Artemis II crew – (clockwise from left) Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Pilot Victor Glover – take time out for a group hug inside the Orion spacecraft on their way home. Following a swing around the far side of the Moon on April 6, 2026, the crew exited the lunar sphere of influence (the point at which the Moon's gravity has a stronger pull on Orion than the Earth's) on April 7, and are headed back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10. The crew was selected in April 2023, and have been training together for their mission for the past three years.
Source: NASA

The Artemis II crew – (from left) Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Pilot Victor Glover, and Commander Reid Wiseman – pause for a group photo inside the Orion spacecraft on their way home. Following a swing around the far side of the Moon on April 6, 2026, the crew exited the lunar sphere of influence (the point at which the Moon's gravity has a stronger pull on Orion than the Earth's) on April 7, and are headed back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10.
Source: NASA

The Artemis II crew – (clockwise from left) Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Pilot Victor Glover – pause for a group photo with their zero gravity indicator "Rise," inside the Orion spacecraft on their way home. Following a swing around the far side of the Moon on April 6, 2026, the crew exited the lunar sphere of influence (the point at which the Moon's gravity has a stronger pull on Orion than the Earth's) on April 7, and are headed back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10.
Source: NASA