As of early Monday, the Orion spacecraft crossed into what scientists call the Moon\u2019s \u201csphere of influence\u201d \u2013 the point at which lunar gravity begins to exert a stronger pull than Earth\u2019s.<\/p>\n
This quiet but significant milestone signals that the crew are now firmly under the Moon\u2019s gravitational sway, setting the stage for a dramatic loop around our celestial neighbour. In doing so, they are preparing to travel farther from Earth than any human has ever ventured.<\/p>\n
At around 04h42 UT, the spacecraft was approximately 39,000 miles from the Moon and 232,000 miles from Earth, according to NASA officials.<\/p>\n
The upcoming flyby will be the first time humans have passed close to the Moon since 1972, marking a return to deep space exploration<\/a> after more than five decades.<\/p>\n The mission is already one for the history books. Victor Glover will become the first person of colour to orbit the Moon, while Christina Koch is set to be the first woman to do so. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will also make history as the first non-American on such a journey. Together with mission commander Reid Wiseman, the four astronauts are not only pushing boundaries but reshaping who gets to explore space<\/a>.<\/p>\n New age of Moon exploration underway as NASA’s Artemis mission blasts off<\/a><\/p>\n Far side discoveries<\/p>\n Even before reaching the closest point of their flyby, the crew have begun to witness lunar features never before seen directly by human eyes. Among the highlights is the Orientale basin, a vast impact crater often described as the Moon\u2019s \u201cGrand Canyon\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n Previously captured only by robotic missions, the basin\u2019s full expanse has now been observed by astronauts in person for the first time. Koch, speaking during a live call with Canadian schoolchildren, described the experience with clear excitement, noting how distinctive the formation is and how remarkable it felt to see it firsthand.<\/p>\n As the spacecraft continues its journey, the astronauts will also witness a striking cosmic alignment \u2013 a solar eclipse viewed from space<\/a>. During this moment, the Sun will slip behind the Moon, leaving only its glowing outer atmosphere, the corona, visible. It promises to be both a scientific opportunity and a breathtaking spectacle.<\/p>\n Artemis heads to the Moon as old rivals race to stake their claim<\/a><\/p>\n Testing systems for the future<\/p>\n While the views are extraordinary, the mission\u2019s core purpose remains firmly practical. The crew are conducting a series of tests on Orion\u2019s systems, gathering crucial data that will underpin future lunar missions.<\/p>\n