MOON'S FAR SIDE — The four-member Artemis II crew experienced a 40-minute communications blackout as their spacecraft flew behind the Moon's far side, cutting off all contact with Mission Control, their families, and any other Earth-based personnel. The crew flew farther from Earth than any humans in history during the flyby.

NASA had tasked the crew to visually observe the lunar far side using their eyes, and the astronauts paused their scientific observations for about three to four minutes during the passage. From the spacecraft, the lunar disc appeared roughly the size of a bowling ball at arm's length. At the lunar terminator, sunlight cast shadows across the Moon's cliffs, ripples, and craters.

Artemis II mission commander Reid Wiseman described the experience of witnessing the view. "I'm actually getting chills right now just thinking about it." Wiseman said. "It was just an unbelievable sight, and then it was gone."

Mission specialist Christina Koch observed tiny craters across the daytime side of the Moon reflecting sunlight. Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen observed shades of blue, green, and brown on the lunar surface.

The crew also witnessed a solar eclipse when the Moon blocked the Sun, with the period of totality lasting nearly 54 minutes from their perspective. Artemis II pilot Victor Glover described the moment. "We saw great simulations made by our lunar science team, but when that actually happened, it just blew us all away." Glover said. "It was one of the greatest gifts."

During the flyby, the spacecraft entered the Moon's sphere of influence, where lunar gravity exceeds Earth's gravity, and the Moon's gravity altered the spacecraft's trajectory around the Moon and toward Earth. During the period without communication, the crew ate maple cookies brought by Hansen. After the flyby, the crew regained sight of Earth emerging from behind the Moon.