Earthset From the Lunar Far Side - NASA Science
The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission captured extraordinary images of our home planet during their journey around the far side of the Moon.
science.nasa.govThe latest news is that Artemis II’s crew has already returned safely to Earth after their historic lunar flyby, with splashdown in the Pacific off San Diego on April 10, 2026, and all four astronauts reported in good health. NASA also highlighted new “Earthset” imagery from the mission, including views from the Moon’s far side that are being compared to Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise.[2][4][9]
What happened
NASA’s update says Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen were extracted from Orion after splashdown, then taken by helicopter to the USS John P. Murtha for medical checks before heading back to Houston. The crew completed a nearly 10-day mission around the Moon and reached a record distance of 406,711 km from Earth.[1][2]
Earthset images
NASA’s Earth Observatory described the “Earthset” photo as one of the standout images from the mission, showing Earth from the lunar far side. Reporters also noted that the crew has more photos and stories to share, suggesting the imagery release will continue over the coming days.[5][8][9]
Crew reaction
In post-mission coverage, the astronauts said they are eager to share what they saw and experienced, especially the first human views of the Moon’s far side since Apollo. Coverage after splashdown also said the crew was “safe and sound” and reflected positively on the mission.[3][6][5]
Why it matters
This mission is being treated as a major step for NASA’s Artemis program because it tested crewed deep-space flight, reentry, and recovery systems on the way to future lunar landings. The Earthset image has gotten particular attention because it captures a rare perspective that helps frame the mission as both scientific and symbolic.[4][9][10][2]