It's time for Artemis II to break Apollo 13's distance record. What to know about the moon flyby

The Artemis II astronauts are already the champions of a fresh new era of lunar exploration. Now it's time to set a new distance record.

6 April 2026 at 07:50 pm

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It's time for Artemis II to break Apollo 13's distance record. What to know about the moon flyby

The Artemis II mission, a cornerstone of NASA's ambitious lunar exploration program, is poised to break a nearly six-decade-old record set by the iconic Apollo 13 mission. As the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, Artemis II will not only revisit lunar space but also surpass the distance record established by Apollo 13 during its aborted journey to the lunar surface.

The Apollo 13 mission, launched in April 1970, was intended to land astronauts on the Moon's surface. However, an oxygen tank explosion forced the crew to abort the mission and return to Earth. Despite the setback, Apollo 13 achieved a significant milestone by becoming the farthest spacecraft from Earth at the time, reaching a distance of approximately 250,000 miles (402,300 kilometers). This record stood for decades until it was surpassed by the Voyager 1 spacecraft in 1990, which continues to explore the outer reaches of the solar system.

Artemis II, scheduled for launch in 2024, will carry four astronauts on a 10-day mission around the Moon. The spacecraft, designed by Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, will travel to a distant retrograde orbit, known as the Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO), which is about 62,000 kilometers (39,000 miles) from the Moon's surface. This orbit is significantly farther than the lunar orbit of Apollo 13, which was much closer to the Moon's surface.

The primary objective of Artemis II is to demonstrate the feasibility of deep space travel and lunar orbit operations, paving the way for future crewed missions. By reaching the NRHO, the mission will also provide valuable data on radiation exposure, spacecraft performance, and astronaut health in deep space. The distance record, while not the primary goal, underscores the mission's ambition to push the boundaries of human exploration beyond Earth's orbit.

The Artemis program, named after the Greek goddess of the Moon, is part of NASA's Artemis Accords, a global partnership aimed at revitalizing lunar exploration. The accords, signed by 18 countries and 14 private companies, emphasize collaboration and sustainable development on the Moon. Artemis II's success will serve as a catalyst for these international efforts, inspiring further innovation and cooperation in space exploration.

The mission's distance record will also have symbolic significance. Apollo 13, despite its tragic circumstances, became a cultural icon, immortalized in the 1995 film "Apollo 13." Breaking its record will not only highlight technological advancements but also honor the legacy of the Apollo program, which inspired generations of space enthusiasts.

As the Artemis II crew prepares for their historic journey, the world watches with anticipation. The mission represents a bold step forward in humanity's quest to explore the cosmos, rekindling the spirit of adventure that first led astronauts to the Moon. By surpassing the distance record set by Apollo 13, Artemis II will not only redefine the limits of human endeavor but also lay the groundwork for a new era of lunar exploration and beyond.

Source: Space News - Space, Astronomy, Space Exploration

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