The crew of the Artemis II has reached the farthest distance ever travelled by humans from Earth, marking a historic milestone in space exploration. On April 6, 2026, astronauts including Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch completed a successful lunar flyby, travelling 406,773 kilometres from Earth.

This achievement surpasses the previous record set during Apollo 13 in 1970, when astronauts reached 400,171 kilometres. The mission represents a significant step forward in humanity’s return to deep space and lays the groundwork for future exploration beyond the Moon and was confirmed by the Canadian Space Agency.

During the flyby, the crew travelled around the far side of the Moon, capturing unique imagery and witnessing the phenomenon known as Earthrise Earth appearing over the lunar horizon. At their closest approach, the spacecraft passed within approximately 6,545 kilometres of the Moon’s surface, offering unprecedented views of regions never before seen directly by human observers.

According to Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, with Jeremy Hansen onboard Artemis II, Canada is making history. She added that this is “an achievement that fills the nation with pride and inspires Canadians everywhere.”

“Canadians have been awestruck by the majestic images that the Artemis II crew has shared with the world. Our seat on this mission builds on decades of contributions and strategic investments in Canada’s space sector and proves that our nation’s expertise has been pivotal to space exploration endeavours.”
Mélanie Joly

The Artemis II crew are now on their way way back to Earth, a journey that should take about four days to complete. The Orion spacecraft will harness the Earth–Moon gravity field on its way back, being pulled back naturally by Earth’s gravity before splashing down into the Pacific Ocean, near the coast of San Diego. Splashdown is currently scheduled for April 10.

Lisa Campbell, President of the Canadian Space Agency, also applauded the historic achievement of the Artemis II crew.

“The breathtaking images shared by Jeremy and his crewmates have revealed both the vastness of space and the fragility of our planet. This mission is about more than exploration. It is a source of national pride and inspiration, empowering Canadians to imagine bold futures and reaffirming that Canada is strong, resilient, and ready to explore beyond Earth with our partners.”
Lisa Campbell

In addition to their spaceflight record, the crew suggested naming two craters on the Moon during their flight. The first is named in honour of their spacecraft, “Integrity” and the second honours Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.

After this mission is complete, the crater name proposals will be formally submitted to the International Astronomical Union, the organization that governs the naming of celestial bodies and their surface features.

Artemis II Milestone Sparks Reflection on Humanity’s Future in Space

In this image from a video provided by NASA, the Moon is seen from the outside camera of the Orion Spacecraft as the Arthemis II crew astronauts acknowledge the Apollo 13 astronauts as the crew surpass the farthest distance ever travelled by humans from Earth.

The progress of the Artemis II mission is being recognised not only as a major technical achievement but also as a moment encouraging global reflection on humanity’s shared future in space.

Jeremy Hansen, a Canadian Space Agency astronaut and crew member, conveyed this perspective while reflecting on the experience of viewing Earth from beyond the Moon. He described the sight as a striking reminder that humanity is united by a single home.

“If we hope to thrive and endure, we must learn to come together and collaborate. What we have accomplished so far with Artemis II fills me with hope for the future—confidence in our ability to grow, innovate, and evolve.”
Jeremy Hansen

He went on to frame the mission within the broader legacy of human space exploration, emphasizing both its symbolic weight and its forward-looking ambition.

“From the cabin of Integrity, as we travel farther than humans have ever gone from Earth, we do so in tribute to the extraordinary achievements of those who came before us. We will journey even deeper into space before Earth’s pull brings us back to everything we hold dear. But above all, we choose this moment to challenge this generation and the next to ensure this record does not stand for long.”
Jeremy Hansen

Moreover, NASA officials stressed that the mission represents more than a historic milestone, it signals a sustained commitment to future exploration.

Dr. Lori Glaze, Acting Associate Administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, also highlighted the deeper significance of the crew’s efforts. “At NASA, we aim higher, push further, and turn the impossible into reality. That spirit is embodied by the Artemis II astronauts Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy who are opening new frontiers for humanity,” she said.

She went on to say that their efforts enhance our outlook for the future rather than just breaking records. This mission embodies our resolve to establish a permanent presence on the Moon by establishing a Moon base, rather than merely visiting.