NASA says testing progress ‘underscores continued confidence’ that the spacesuits will be ready to support the lunar landing

The Artemis 2 astronauts captured a unique image of the moon's "dark side" during their historic April 2026 flyby.

NASA said the Artemis II crew will gather at Houston's Johnson Space Station to discuss and answer questions about their recent trip around the moon.

Look to the west shortly after sunset on April 17 to find Venus appearing as a bright evening star 15 degrees from the horizon, with the blue-white stars of the Pleiades open star cluster glowing 10 degrees above — roughly the width of your clenched fist held at arm's length.

The Artemis II crew's nine-day moon mission set a record for the farthest any human has ever traveled from Earth. Here's a look at the key moments.

Artemis II's moon-traveling astronauts are back home and feted to a thunderous welcome. Still marveling over their record-breaking lunar fly-around, the crew of four flew to Houston's Ellington Field from San Diego on Saturday afternoon.

Adding to the fireworks, the New Moon in Aries arrives, heels blazing on April 17, 2026, at 7:51 a.m. EST at 27°29 Aries. The moon joins the sun, Mercury, Mars, Neptune, Saturn, and Chiron, all 7 of whom are turning in burning, moving direct and coming correct in Aries.

The phenomenon of a Full Moon arises when our planet, Earth, is precisely sandwiched between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment ensures the entire side of the Moon that faces us gleams under sunlight.