The crew of Artemis II describes the far side of the Moon as ‘something we’ve never seen before’
Artemis II astronauts characterize the Moon’s far side as both unfamiliar and striking as the spacecraft journeys over 180,000 miles from Earth.
Astronauts on Artemis II have shared that their initial sight of the Moon’s far side was an unparalleled experience, providing a unique look at an area that has never been seen from Earth.
The crew consisting of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency is now on the third day of their mission aboard the Orion spacecraft.
The mission, spearheaded by NASA, aims to transport humans around the far side of the Moon and ensure their safe return to Earth, representing a notable achievement in the resurgence of lunar exploration.
Koch described the moment as one where the view felt unfamiliar and nearly disorienting. “There’s something about you that tells me this isn’t the Moon I’m accustomed to,” she remarked, emphasizing the striking difference between the familiar near side visible from Earth and the rough, heavily cratered landscape of the far side.
As of late Saturday, mission data indicated that the spacecraft had journeyed over 180,000 miles (approximately 289,681 kilometers) from Earth, positioning the crew well within cislunar space.
The far side of the Moon, commonly known as the “dark side,” does not receive less sunlight; rather, it remains perpetually hidden from Earth because of tidal locking. The surface is characterized by a scarcity of the dark, smooth plains found on the near side, showcasing a more rugged and heavily cratered terrain.
