Humans Leave Earth’s Orbit for First Time Since 1972
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📰 The quick summary: For the first time since 1972, humans have left Earth’s orbit, with four Artemis II astronauts now traveling toward the moon on a path to set a new record for the farthest distance ever reached by humans in space.
📈 One key stat: Artemis II astronauts are on track to travel more than 250,000 miles from Earth, surpassing any distance humans have ever reached in space, marking a major milestone in human exploration.
💬 One key quote: “From up here, you also look like one thing. We’re all one people,” said astronaut Victor Glover, speaking to Earth from aboard the Orion capsule.
1️⃣ The big picture: Four astronauts aboard the Orion capsule are heading toward the moon as part of NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar voyage since Apollo 17 in 1972. After leaving Earth’s orbit, the crew fired their engines in a maneuver called a translunar injection, locking in their trajectory toward the moon. Among the crew are Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, as well as Canadian Jeremy Hansen, making this the first lunar mission to include a person of color, a woman, and a non-American. Orion will travel roughly 4,000 miles beyond the moon before using lunar gravity to slingshot back toward Earth. If all goes as planned, the crew will break the record for the farthest distance any human has ever traveled from our planet.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Humanity has crossed a major threshold by sending people beyond Earth’s orbit for the first time in over 50 years, reigniting an era of deep space human exploration. Breaking the all-time distance record for human spaceflight shows that the technical and logistical barriers to reaching the moon are now firmly within reach. Artemis II also marks historic firsts in representation, with the first woman, first person of color, and first non-American now journeying toward the moon, opening a new chapter in who gets to explore space. Beyond this single mission, the program lays the groundwork for a permanent lunar base that could serve as a launchpad for even deeper exploration of our solar system. Each successful step builds the confidence, knowledge, and infrastructure needed to one day send humans to Mars and beyond.
3️⃣ What’s next: After swinging roughly 4,000 miles past the far side of the moon, Orion will use lunar gravity to slingshot back toward Earth. The crew will spend their time in space performing system checks, exercising daily to counter muscle and bone loss, and conducting observations. A successful return splashdown will set the stage for future Artemis missions aimed at landing humans on the lunar surface, with NASA targeting as early as 2028.
Read the full story here: The Guardian – Artemis II astronauts approach 100,000 miles from Earth on voyage to the moon
