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 rekindle humanity's fascination with the lunar surface but also push the boundaries of space exploration.

The Apollo 13 mission, launched in April 1970, was initially intended to land on the Moon but was aborted after an oxygen tank explosion. Despite the setback, the crew safely returned to Earth, and the mission became a testament to human ingenuity and resilience. During its lunar journey, Apollo 13 set a record for the farthest distance from Earth traveled by a crewed spacecraft, reaching approximately 250,000 miles (402,330 kilometers). This record has stood for decades, serving as a milestone in space exploration history.

Now, with the Artemis II mission scheduled for launch in 2024, NASA aims to surpass this historic distance. The mission will carry four astronauts on a 10- to 14-day journey around the Moon, marking the first step toward establishing a sustainable presence on the lunar surface. Artemis II will utilize NASA's Orion spacecraft, designed to carry humans to deep-space destinations, including the Moon and eventually Mars.

The Artemis program, named after the Greek goddess of the hunt and the Moon, is a critical component of NASA's Artemis Accords, an international partnership to explore and sustainably utilize the Moon. By breaking the distance record set by Apollo 13, Artemis II will underscore the advancements in technology and the renewed commitment to lunar exploration.

The journey for the Artemis II crew will begin with a launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, using NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The SLS, the most powerful rocket in the world, will propel the Orion spacecraft into a trajectory that will take it far beyond the Moon's orbit. As the spacecraft travels outward, it will reach its farthest point from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record.

During the mission, the astronauts will conduct a series of scientific experiments and observations, testing technologies that will pave the way for future lunar landings. These experiments will focus on understanding the Moon's environment, mapping its resources, and assessing the feasibility of establishing a lunar base. The data collected will be invaluable for planning subsequent Artemis missions, including Artemis III, which is slated to land astronauts on the Moon's surface in 2026.

Breaking the distance record set by Apollo 13 is more than just a symbolic achievement; it represents a significant leap forward in space exploration. The Artemis II mission will demonstrate the capabilities of modern space technology and reaffirm humanity's ambition to explore the cosmos. As the crew embarks on this historic journey, they will not only be following in the footsteps of Apollo 13's brave astronauts but also setting the stage for a new era of lunar exploration and beyond.

In conclusion, the Artemis II mission stands on the precipice of breaking a record that has stood the test of time. By surpassing the distance achieved by Apollo 13, the mission will underscore the progress made in space technology and the renewed commitment to lunar exploration. As the crew prepares for this groundbreaking voyage, the world watches with anticipation, eager to witness the next chapter in humanity's quest to reach for the stars.