NASA’s Artemis II moon mission is gearing up for its lunar flyby

image via New Scientist

April 4, 2026, 10:32 PM

• •Artemis II mission is nearing the moon for a lunar flyby.
• •Astronauts will observe the far side of the moon, including the Orientale basin.
• •The Orion capsule's toilet is experiencing wastewater system issues.
• •The mission is viewed as symbolically important by the astronauts.

NASA's Artemis II mission is approaching the moon, with astronauts preparing for a lunar flyby on Monday, April 6th, to observe the moon's far side. The crew, including Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, Christina Koch, and Reid Wiseman, are excited about the scientific observations, especially the Orientale basin. While the mission progresses, the Orion capsule's toilet has encountered issues due to a potential ice blockage in the wastewater system. Despite the challenges, the astronauts highlight the mission's symbolic importance and the awe of seeing Earth from space.

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