Artemis II loops far side of the moon, goes through planned communications blackout | Special Report

CBS News
April 7, 2026
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The Artemis II mission completed its trip around the far side of the moon and began its return to Earth.

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The Artemis II spacecraft successfully completed its trip around the far side of the moon on Monday, initiating its return journey to Earth. During this maneuver, the crewed mission experienced a planned communications blackout as it passed beyond the moon's direct line of sight. This milestone marks a critical step in the Artemis II mission, which aims to test systems and procedures for future lunar exploration. CBS News provided special coverage of the event, anchored by Lindsey Reiser.

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Artemis II Mission: Lunar Flyby and Distance Record

The Artemis II crew has successfully broken the record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth by humans, surpassing Apollo 13's record. The mission involves a historic lunar flyby, looping around the far side of the Moon as a critical step towards future lunar landings.

Artemis II Mission Breaks Space Travel Records

NASA's Artemis II mission, carrying four astronauts, successfully completed a loop around the far side of the moon, breaking the record for the farthest human travel from Earth. The crew experienced a planned communications blackout and later named a moon crater in honor of a fallen astronaut's wife, marking significant milestones in human space exploration.

Artemis II Mission: Record-Breaking Lunar Journey

The Artemis II mission successfully completed its trip around the far side of the moon, with its four astronauts breaking the record for the farthest human travel from Earth. The crew also experienced a planned communications blackout and named a lunar crater after a commander's late wife.

Artemis II Mission Breaks Distance Record

The Artemis II mission successfully looped around the far side of the moon, with its four-astronaut crew breaking the record for the farthest human travel from Earth. The crew experienced a planned communications blackout and named a lunar crater after a commander's late wife, marking significant milestones as they return to Earth.

Artemis II Mission: Lunar Record-Breaking Journey

The Artemis II mission has successfully completed its journey around the far side of the moon, with its four-astronaut crew breaking the record for the farthest human travel from Earth. The crew also experienced a planned communications blackout and named a moon crater in honor of a commander's late wife.

Artemis II Mission: Lunar Orbit and Record-Breaking Journey

The Artemis II mission successfully completed its journey around the far side of the moon, with its four astronauts breaking the record for the farthest human travel from Earth. The crew also experienced a planned communications blackout and named a lunar crater after a commander's late wife, marking significant milestones before their return to Earth.

Artemis II Mission: Lunar Orbit and Record-Breaking Journey

The Artemis II mission successfully completed its journey around the far side of the moon, with its four astronauts breaking the record for the farthest human travel from Earth. The crew also experienced a planned communications blackout and named a lunar crater.

Artemis II Mission: Lunar Flyby and Records Broken

The Artemis II mission successfully completed a lunar flyby, with its four astronauts traveling farther into space than any humans before them. The crew also named a moon crater after commander Reid Wiseman's late wife, Carroll, and experienced a planned communications blackout.

Artemis II Lunar Flyby Mission

The Artemis II mission, carrying a crew of four, is currently on a historic journey around the Moon. Astronauts are preparing for a lunar flyby, capturing breathtaking views and marking a significant milestone in human space exploration.

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