HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts are now forever intertwined with Apollo 8. A day after their groundbreaking lunar flyaround, NASA released striking new photos captured by the U.S.-Canadian crew. The astronauts recreated the famous Earthrise shot from the 1968 Apollo 8 mission with their own version: Earthset, which depicts our planet setting behind the moon's surface. Another remarkable image showcases a total solar eclipse occurring as the moon obscured the sun from their vantage point. The crew, comprising three Americans and one Canadian, is en route back home with a scheduled Pacific splashdown on Friday, while scientists at Houston’s Mission Control examine the photos transmitted from the mission. Apollo 8 made history as the first spacecraft with humans to orbit the moon on Christmas Eve 1968, and its Earthrise photo became a symbol for the environmental movement. The Artemis II mission signifies NASA’s first crewed return to the moon, an essential milestone toward preparing for a lunar landing by another crew within two years.
Artemis II Astronauts Capture New Lunar Imagery
Artemis II Astronauts Capture New Lunar Imagery
NASA's Artemis II crew has shared breathtaking photos from their lunar flyby, channeling Apollo 8's legacy with new perspectives of Earth.
In a historic lunar flyaround, the Artemis II astronauts have released stunning photos, including their version of Apollo 8’s iconic Earthrise shot and an incredible view of a solar eclipse. This mission marks NASA’s significant return to manned lunar exploration, paving the way for future lunar landings.
