Artemis II Crew Captures Stunning Earth Images from Space

Fri Apr 03 2026 20:59:42 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

NASA's Artemis II crew reveals breathtaking high-resolution images of Earth, showcasing stunning views of our planet and the surrounding celestial bodies as they embark on their lunar mission.

The Artemis II crew, led by NASA's Commander Reid Wiseman, has shared spectacular images of Earth taken from the Orion spacecraft as they journey towards the Moon. One notable image, titled 'Hello, World', captures the Atlantic Ocean, with Venus visible in the frame as the team embraces their mission with enthusiasm. As they make history by venturing beyond Earth's orbit, the astronauts are set to celebrate significant moments in space exploration, including a flyby of the Moon.

Artemis II Crew Captures Stunning Earth Images from Space

NASA's Artemis II crew has unveiled the first high-resolution photographs of Earth as they journey for a lunar exploration mission, all while taking in the magnificent views of our home planet from the Orion spacecraft.

Mission Commander Reid Wiseman captured these breathtaking images shortly after a critical engine burn solidified their trajectory towards the Moon, marking a pivotal moment in their historic expedition.

Among the striking visuals is an image dubbed 'Hello, World', which beautifully displays the vast Atlantic Ocean and the faint glow of Earth's atmosphere, accompanied by vibrant green auroras near the poles.

The photograph presents an upside-down perspective of our planet, with the Iberian Peninsula and the Sahara Desert featuring prominently on the left, and the eastern part of South America on the right. NASA also highlighted the bright planet Venus positioned in the lower right section of the image.

These captures were part of their activities following the successful trans-lunar injection burn which allowed the crew to exit Earth’s orbit as they set their sights on a journey exceeding 200,000 miles to the Moon.

Artemis II is on a path designed to take the astronauts around the far side of the Moon for the first time since the Apollo missions in 1972. The crew is expected to encounter the Moon on April 6 and return home on April 10.

Amid the excitement, crew member Jeremy Hansen shared their experience in mission control, stating, 'We are getting a beautiful view of the dark side of the Earth, lit by the Moon,' highlighting the awe of witnessing Earth from space.

As the team strives to perfect their photography techniques in orbit, they face challenges such as capturing the stunning visuals while adjusting settings to account for the unique lighting conditions, as Commander Wiseman found it initially difficult to take clear pictures due to exposure settings.

The crew continues to take in the astounding views, with one image showcasing the 'terminator', the line that separates day and night on Earth, further emphasizing the beauty of our planet from the stars.