Artemis II just set a new distance-from-Earth record

https://www.axios.com/2026/04/03/artemis-ii-earth-photo-picture" target="_blank">Artemis II's four astronauts have officially gone where no one has gone before, setting on Monday a new distance-from-Earth record for human spaceflight.

Why it matters: Artemis II broke Apollo 13's 248,655-mile record, set over 55 years ago on that ill-fated ship's emergency flight home.

Driving the news: The lunar quartet has further to go yet.

• They'll reach their maximum distance (252,760 miles) just after 7 p.m. ET tonight.

What's next: The crew is starting their seven-hour lunar orbit and observation period this afternoon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs" target="_blank">(Watch live.)

• At 6:44 p.m. ET, the crew will enter an expected 40-minute radio blackout on the dark side of the Moon.
• They will later witness a solar eclipse, with the Moon blocking the Sun from their perspective.

Also planned: A chance to shoot a new version of https://time.com/5479821/earthrise-picture-history-apollo-8/" target="_blank">"Earthrise" — perhaps the Apollo era's most famous photo not taken on the Moon itself.

What they're saying: Apollo 8 and 13's Jim Lovell, in a message to the Artemis II crew recorded before his 2015 death: "Welcome to my old neighborhood!"

• "It's a historic day and I know how busy you'll be, but don't forget to enjoy the view."