Artemis II Crew: NASA has released the first breathtaking high-resolution photographs of Earth taken by the Artemis II astronauts as they journey toward the Moon – the first time humans have traveled beyond low-Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. The images were captured by mission Commander Reid Wiseman shortly after the crew completed a critical translunar injection burn on April 2, 2026. This powerful engine firing propelled the Orion spacecraft out of Earth’s orbit and set it on a “free-return” trajectory around the Moon. “Hello, World” The standout image shows our planet as a vast blue expanse dominated by the Atlantic Ocean. A thin, glowing layer of atmosphere frames the view, while striking green auroras shimmer at both the northern and southern poles. The photo also captures zodiacal light and a bright speck of Venus in the frame. NASA described the shot as truly spectacular.
“Artemis II Looking Back at Earth”: Taken through one of the Orion capsule’s four main windows, this photo offers the crew’s personal perspective as they leave their home planet behind. The Terminator View another powerful image reveals the sharp dividing line between day and night (the terminator) slicing across Earth, with parts of the planet illuminated by moonlight on its “dark side.” The astronauts, glued to the windows after the burn, used Nikon cameras to document the moment. Commander Wiseman later joked with mission control about needing to clean the windows after their enthusiastic photography session.
Artemis II, which was launched on April 1, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carries four astronauts Commander Reid Wiseman (NASA) Pilot Victor Glover (NASA) Mission Specialist Christina Koch (NASA) Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency). As of April 4, 2026, the crew is more than 140,000 miles from Earth and continuing toward the Moon. They are currently performing system checks, medical demonstrations (including CPR in microgravity), and preparing for high-resolution observations during
NASA has also shared a side-by-side comparison of the new 2026 images with the iconic “Blue Marble” photo taken by Apollo 17 in 1972, noting “We’ve come so far in the last 54 years, but one thing hasn’t changed: our home looks gorgeous from space!” The crew has expressed pure joy at these views, with one astronaut describing the sight of Earth complete with auroras and visible continents moment that “paused all four of us in our tracks.” This mission marks a major step in NASA’s Artemis program, paving the way for future crewed landings on the Moon and eventual journeys to Mars. The stunning images serve as a powerful reminder of our beautiful, fragile planet seen from the vastness of space.