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   AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Friday, 03-Apr-2026 11:10:03 JST AkaSci 🛰️

   A crescent Earth as seen from the Artemis II Orion Integrity spacecraft, now over 46,000 km away. The spacecraft is located above the north-east coast of Brazil, where it is night-time

   22/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Friday, 03-Apr-2026 11:11:22 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     The serene view of the Pale Blue Crescent from the Artemis II Orion Integrity spacecraft this morning, now located 70,920 km away in its elliptical orbit, high above the Pacific Ocean, west of Peru, as the astronauts grab some sleep after a hectic day yesterday.

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
     23/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Friday, 03-Apr-2026 11:11:22 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Integrity, the Artemis II Orion Integrity spacecraft, is located 71,245 km away, almost 2x the alt. of GSO, in a highly elliptical orbit, above the Pacific Ocean, west of Peru.

     After reaching Apogee, it will turn around and execute a Perigee Raising Burn at around 8:15 a.m. EDT (12:15 UTC) and head back towards Earth.

     12 hours later, at Perigee, it will execute the Translunar Injection Burn and shoot for the Moon.

     https://www.n2yo.com/?s=99999&live=1
     https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2
     https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-ii-press-kit/
     24/n

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     tinydoctor (tinydoctor@mstdn.social)'s status on Friday, 03-Apr-2026 11:34:34 JST tinydoctor

     in reply to

     @AkaSci I was ten years old when Apollo 8 orbited the Moon in 1968. 58 years ago. I watched every bit of it I could, all in memory at least narrated by Walter Cronkite. I didn't expect to get emotional about Artemis; at this point I don't think human space exploration is a...priority, as we humans in the interval between have done our best to be a pestilence all across the face of the Earth, but as I read that Artemis with 3 astronauts is headed to the moon, tears come to my eyes.

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Friday, 03-Apr-2026 11:34:35 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Artemis II TLI complete. All systems good.

     Here is a view of Earth from the spacecraft at altitude ~200 km during the TLI.

     Integrity and the 4 astronauts are now headed for the moon.

     Current orbit is 202x501,181 km, but the actual values will be slightly smaller due to gravitational interaction with the moon.

     :mastodance:
     31/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Friday, 03-Apr-2026 11:34:36 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Artemis II Trans Lunar Injection (TLI) burn coming up at 7:49 p.m. EDT.

     The 349-second burn will increase Integrity's speed of ~11,000 m/s by 388 m/s and stretch the current 191x70,133 km elliptical orbit to go ~7,400 km beyond the moon and return back to earth.

     A few minor burns will be made during the trip to fine-tune the trajectory.

     The graphic below shows the approx. location of Integrity and the moon - now, during TLI and around April 6-8.

     Go #Artemis2!

     https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/02/artemis-ii-flight-day-2-crew-houston-poll-go-for-translunar-injection-burn/
     29/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Friday, 03-Apr-2026 11:34:36 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     One might consider it foolhardy for Artemis II Orion to come screaming down at 11 km/s to 191 km altitude, cross the paths of the LEO constellations and debris around 500 km, perform the TLI to adjust its speed and trajectory and race away, without colliding with anything.

     But we can be assured that all that is taken care of and LEO satellites will maneuver to get out of the way as needed.
     😱🤞
     https://satellitetracker3d.com/track?norad-id=27426
     30/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Friday, 03-Apr-2026 11:34:37 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Artemis II astronauts woke up this morning at 7:06 a.m. EDT with the song “Sleepyhead” by Young and Sick.

     They then completed the perigee raise burn by igniting the Orion service module’s main engine for 43 seconds, which modified the trajectory to a 191x70133 km elliptical orbit. Perigee in another 12 hours or so.

     The crew members will rest for another 4.5 hours before they are again awakened to start their first full day in space.

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIW-w-P2nOc
     https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/02/artemis-ii-flight-update-perigee-raise-burn-complete/
     25/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Friday, 03-Apr-2026 11:34:37 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Artemis II has a total of 28 camera systems, many for internal and external inspection and navigation, 4 located on each of Orion’s 4 solar arrays.

     The fixed engineering cameras are primarily meant for in-flight inspection of the spacecraft. But they also opportunistically capture images of Earth and the moon in the background.

     The astronauts carry two handheld Nikon D5 digital SLR 20.8 MP cameras for hi-res images and videos.

     https://talkoftitusville.com/2025/12/24/what-cameras-will-the-artemis-ii-astronauts-have-aboard/
     https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20230017638/downloads/1325_Melendrez_Orion%20Imaging%20Capabilities.pdf
     26/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Friday, 03-Apr-2026 11:34:37 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Check out this dashboard for real-time status and telemetry from Artemis II.

     https://artemis.cdnspace.ca/

     h/t @cdnspace
     https://fosstodon.org/@cdnspace@mstdn.ca/116336006900298832
     27/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Friday, 03-Apr-2026 11:34:37 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Cubesats deployed by Artemis II in High Earth Orbit:

     TACHELES, German Space Agency: Effects of space env on electrical components.

     K-RadCube, Korea AeroSpace Admin: Space radiation and its biological effects

     Space Weather CubeSat-1, Saudi Space Agency: Space weather at a range of distances from Earth

     ATENEA, Argentina's Space Agency; Assess radiation shielding methods, measure Earth's radiation spectrum, collect GPS data and validate a long-range comm link

     https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6197&context=smallsat
     28/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:33:28 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     This is an image of the full night-side Earth disk taken seconds before the image in the previous post but with a shorter exposure time.

     In this image, we can see the electric lights of human activity. In the lower right, sunlight illuminates the limb of the planet.

     Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
     Lens: 14-24mm f/2.8
     FocalLength: 22.0 mm
     ISO 51200
     ExposureTime: 1/15 s
     CreateDate: 2026:04:03 00:27:20 UTC
     Distance: 10,050 km

     Image and EXIF data at https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e000193
     38/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:33:29 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     The Blue Marble imaged by Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman ~30 minutes after translunar injection yesterday, as Orion started its sprint to the moon.

     The image shows 2 auroras (top right and bottom left) and zodiacal light (top left). This is the night side of Earth lit by moonlight.

     Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP), 14-24mm f/2.8
     FocalLength: 22.0 mm
     ISO 51200
     ExposureTime: 1/4 s
     CreateDate: 2026:04:03 00:27:39 UTC
     Distance: 10,150 km

     Image and EXIF data at https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e000192
     37/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:33:30 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     The 20-minute event last night where Artemis II astronauts spoke from space, answered questions and eloquently described their experience so far and the importance of this historic mission.

     Inspiring!
     Go #Artemis2

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myscgUlbua4
     35/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:33:30 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     A magnificent view of a serene blue Earth taken yesterday by NASA astronaut and Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman from one of the Orion spacecraft's four main windows while approaching Earth 5 hours before the translunar injection. The Sun is to the right in the image.

     Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
     LensInfo: 35mm f/2
     ISO 250
     ExposureTime: 1/250 s
     CreateDate: 2026:04:02 18:53:12 UTC
     Distance: 51,800 km

     Image and EXIF data at https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e000191
     36/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:33:31 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Immersive 360° view video of the launch of the Artemis II mission.

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LFBFRH51Jo
     34/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:33:32 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Artemis II astronauts are preparing to do a public event in the next few minutes where they will speak directly with media.
     👍
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
     33/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:33:33 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     It's lonely out there 😞

     Artemis II Orion is now 33,668 km away, traveling at 15,347 km/h, approaching geo-sync orbit, as Earth recedes in the dark distance, while the Moon beckons.

     Astronauts have plenty of work and activities to keep them busy during the mission. Live media event with the astronauts coming up soon.

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RwfNBtepa4
     32/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:34:25 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Pic of a shrinking Earth, taken earlier today from Artemis II, as the spacecraft approaches the moon.

     Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
     Lens: 14-24mm f/2.8
     FocalLength: 24 mm
     ISO 400
     ExposureTime: 1/1250 s
     CreateDate: 2026:04:05 06:35:18 UTC
     Distance from Earth: 318,900 km

     Still another 24 hours for lunar flyby, as Orion slows down in its orbital path, now traveling at 2,436 km/h.

     https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e009186
     49/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:34:26 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     The Artemis II Orion spacecraft is now just over half way through on its journey to the vicinity of the moon.

     It will take 3 more days to arrive near the moon as its velocity decreases over time, currently at 5,218 km/h.

     Go #Integrity

     https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2
     39/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:34:26 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     A possible view from the Artemis II Orion spacecraft at 22:35 UTC April 6 of a crescent Earth setting over the limb of a crescent Moon, as visualized using the NASA Eyes on the Solar System tool. In this image, Orion has traveled past the moon and is looking over its far side.

     https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2?rate=0&time=2026-04-06T22:35:00.000+00:00
     40/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:34:26 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     The simulated view from the Artemis II Orion spacecraft 45 minutes later at 23:20 UTC April 6 of a crescent Earth rising over the dark lunar surface, as visualized using the NASA Eyes on the Solar System tool. In this image, Orion has traveled past the moon and is looking over its far side.

     https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2?rate=0&time=2026-04-06T23:20:00.000+00:00&surfaceMapTiling=true&lighting=flood
     41/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:34:26 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     A closeup of the aurora australis over the Antarctic in the Blue Marble image highlights the thin fragile atmosphere that sustains all life on Earth. Note that South is up.

     These images, the first such images taken by humans in over 54 years, remind us of the beauty and the fragility our planet, and of our shared responsibility to care of it and of each other.
     🧑🤝🧑 🌍
     https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e000192
     42/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:34:26 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     The Moon beckons!

     Photo take by the GoPro camera, located on the tip of one of the 4 solar array wings, shows part of the Orion spacecraft with the Moon in the distance.

     The ESA European Service Module (ESM) and its thrusters are clearly visible.

     Camera: GoPro, HERO4 Black, 12MP
     FocalLength: 3.0 mm
     ISO 100
     ExposureTime: 1/3900 s
     CreateDate: 2026:04:03 14:21:47 UTC
     Distance to moon: 238,900 km

     Image and EXIF data at https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e004429
     Another similar image at https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e004411
     43/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:34:26 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     • Joseph Shoer

     Two of the 4 CubeSats deployed by Artemis II failed to enter proper orbit.

     Successfully deployed:

     TACHELES, German Space Agency
     Space Weather CubeSat-1, Saudi Space Agency

     Failed to enter proper orbit:

     K-RadCube, Korea AeroSpace Admin
     ATENEA, Argentina's Space Agency

     https://fosstodon.org/@planet4589.bsky.social@bsky.brid.gy/116345118308094276
     @jpshoer
     44/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:34:26 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Pics of a crescent Earth and the Moon, taken from Artemis II at about the same time last night.

     Earth:
     Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
     Lens: 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6
     FocalLength: 150 mm
     ISO 500
     ExposureTime: 1/640 s
     CreateDate: 2026:04:03 23:38:59 UTC
     Distance: 198,200 km

     Moon:
     Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
     Lens: 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6
     FocalLength: 400 mm
     ISO 500
     ExposureTime: 1/500 s
     CreateDate: 2026:04:03 23:44:47 UTC
     Distance: 233,800 km

     https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e004437
     https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e004438
     45/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:34:26 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Wake-up music at Artemis II Integrity earlier today - "Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club."

     "I know you wanted me to stay
     But I can’t ignore the crazy visions of me in LA
     And I heard that there’s a special place
     Where boys and girls can all be queens every single day

     I’m having wicked dreams
     Of leaving Tennessee
     Oh, Santa Monica
     I swear it’s calling me

     Won’t make my mama proud
     It’s gonna cause a scene
     She sees her baby girl
     I know she’s gonna scream
     ..."

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR3Liudev18
     46/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:34:26 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Visualization of what Artemis II astronauts will see during the lunar flyby as Integrity approaches the Moon and flies around its far side.

     The flyby will last from 2:45 – 9:40 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 6, 2026.

     Highlights in the 420x time-compressed video:
     00:35: Earth sets behind the lunar limb
     00:35 - 00:40: Earth is eclipsed by the moon for about an hour
     00:40: Earth-rise on the other side of the moon.

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMr86Yrvzlo
     Also at https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/04/artemis-ii-flight-day-4-deep-space-flying-lunar-flyby-prep/
     NASA/Ernie Wright
     47/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 09:34:26 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Artemis II astronauts woke up on Easter Sunday to the catchy tune of "Working Class Heroes (Work)” by CeeLo Green."

     "Get up, get out, go get that money
     It's time to work, eh alright
     Work, eh alright

     Early in the morning
     I'm ready and I go
     It's feel like struggle
     We can open up the doubts
     Everybody cans crack
     I got hustle in my blood
     A little bit is not enough"

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fKPn0t7j6Y
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a1Nz-iojfY
     48/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:52 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Orion is back in LOS of Earth, greeted by a crescent Earth-rise. Can't see much of the dark side of the moon with this GoPro engineering camera.

     52/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:53 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Here comes the crescent Earth into view on the right side of the Moon!.
     Fantastic!
     59/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:53 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Earth-set!

     Moments before the communications interruption.

     Earth-rise and comms reestablishment around 7:25 p.m. EDT (23:25 UTC).
     60/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:53 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Flight controllers taking a well-deserved break as Orion traverses the far side of moon with radio-silence for about 45 minutes.
     61/n

     Steve's Place repeated this.
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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:54 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     The moon as viewed by the GoPro camera on the solar panel of the Artemis II Orion spacecraft at 21:30 UTC. The day-night line bifurcates the Moon. Part of what we see here and the area under darkness is the lunar surface on the far side of the moon.

     Go #Artemis2 🌓
     57/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:54 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     A graphic of the location of the Artemis II Orion spacecraft on its orbital path and the location of the Moon as it "slides" under it.

     Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChmaNMHU9CQ
     58/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:55 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     This is a good YouTube site to watch the trajectory and current location of the Artemis II Orion spacecraft and of the Moon.

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChmaNMHU9CQ
     55/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:55 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     The Artemis II astronauts will be focusing on imaging certain features of the Moon during the flyby. E.g, the Orientale and Hetrzsprung Basins.

     More info at https://science.nasa.gov/resource/artemis-ii-lunar-targeting-plan/

     Note that most of the Moon has been imaged and mapped at sub-meter resolution by various orbiters over the past many years.

     Check out this site to examine the lunar surface at various zoom levels and by searchable features - https://quickmap.lroc.im-ldi.com/?camera=-651167.7986%2C-3861610.2989%2C-1558914.2393%2C0.1545%2C0.9162%2C0.3698%2C-0.0615%2C-0.3647%2C0.9291%2C60&showGraticule=true&stack=3314%2C3113&selectedFeature=517%2C127&proj=22&defs=N4IgzAjBYgXKB7ADgQwMYEsAuBPOAGAOgBYwBfAGnEmLkVU1zgjLKA

     56/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:56 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     A nice shot from inside the Artemis II Orion cabin as the astronauts prepare for the lunar flyby later today. Christina is like Batwoman, generally "hanging" upside down from the "ceiling" as she works on her assignments (also when she sleeps)🦇 😎

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
     54/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:57 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     The Moon imaged from inside the Artemis II Orion spacecraft earlier today.

     The image was taken a little over an hour after Integrity entered the lunar sphere of influence at 04:37 UTC, which will shape its orbit and turn it around.

     Camera: NIKON D5
     Lens: 35mm f/2.0
     FocalLength: 35mm
     ISO 400
     ExposureTime: 1/250 s
     CreateDate: 2026:04:06 05:45:17 UTC
     Distance to Moon: 60,630 km
     From Earth: 376,700 km

     https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e009210
     52/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:57 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     • Chad :CApride: :mstdn:

     The Artemis II Orion spacecraft is currently 396,390.6 km from Earth, crossing the orbit of the Moon. It will go past it as the Moon slides under it, reach apogee at 23:07 UTC while observing the far side of the Moon and then head back to Earth. Closest approach to Moon = 6,550 km at 23:02 UTC.

     Webcast begins at 17:00 UTC at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-j1uxBmis0
     Continuous coverage at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
     Nice real-time status dashboard by @chad at https://artemis.cdnspace.ca/

     https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-flight-day-6-crew-ready-for-lunar-flyby/
     53/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:58 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     The Moon imaged from Artemis II earlier today.

     Compared to the image of the near side of moon taken from Earth (the 2nd image), this image is rotated right by about 45°, since Orion's look-angle is towards the "left side" on the moon. See post #49 for look-angles from Orion and Earth.

     Camera: NIKON D5
     Lens: 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6
     FocalLength: 400 mm
     ISO 400
     ExposureTime: 1/1000 s
     CreateDate: 2026:04:05 04:02:50 UTC
     Distance to Moon: 142,000 km
     From Earth: 311,200 km
     https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e009057
     51/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 17:42:59 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     OK, you figure out which torsos, hands and legs belong to which astronaut in this scene aboard Artemis II Orion, as the astronauts "conduct a full sequence of suit operations, including putting on and pressurizing their suits, performing leak checks, simulating seat entry, and assessing mobility and their ability to eat and drink."
     😄
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
     https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/05/artemis-ii-flight-day-5-crew-starts-day-with-suit-demo/
     50/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Wednesday, 08-Apr-2026 08:01:08 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Solar musical interlude 🌞 🎵
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQetemT1sWc
     57/n

     Minoru Saba repeated this.
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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Wednesday, 08-Apr-2026 08:01:08 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     For the curious, this is what the far side of the Moon looks like. It looks quite different than the near side; unlike the near side, it has a battered, densely cratered appearance with few maria.

     It looks like the astronauts witnessed a few meteor strikes on the dark far side tonight.

     You can zoom into sub-meter resolution, even do a flyover, on this detailed map created from data collected by lunar orbiters over many years.

     https://quickmap.lroc.im-ldi.com/settings?camera=-5387057.0661%2C-18982.9183%2C-189195.198%2C0.9994%2C0.0035%2C0.0351%2C-0.0351%2C-0.0001%2C0.9994%2C60&stack=3314%2C3113&proj=22&defs=N4IgzAjBYgXKB7ADgQwMYEsAuBPOAGAOgBYwBfAGnEmLkVU1zgjLKA
     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far_side_of_the_Moon
     58/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Wednesday, 08-Apr-2026 08:01:09 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Here comes the sun, doo-doo-do
     Here comes the sun
     And I say, "It's all right"

     Sunrise at Artemis II. Aka the end of the solar eclipse.
     😎
     56/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Wednesday, 08-Apr-2026 08:01:10 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     Looks like Artemis II will lose the comm link soon, as it approaches a solar eclipse at 8:25 p.m. EDT (00:25 UTC). Comms will be back around 9:00 p.m. EDT (01:00 UTC), via the DSN site in Madrid, after batteries are recharged.

     53/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Wednesday, 08-Apr-2026 08:01:10 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     • Mark McCaughrean

     The Artemis II webcast mentioned again that astronauts will see a solar eclipse from the moon, "the first humans to ever do so."

     Didn't Apollo 11 astronauts see the Sun eclipsed by the moon? Also, Apollo 12 astronauts imaged a solar eclipse caused by Earth.

     Or is there some distinction between this solar eclipse and the ones during Apollo?

     @cosmos4u @markmccaughrean

     https://www.facebook.com/groups/SolarEclipseChasers/posts/8080799298608939/
     https://science.nasa.gov/resource/eclipse-apollo-12/
     54/n

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     AkaSci 🛰️ (akasci@fosstodon.org)'s status on Wednesday, 08-Apr-2026 08:01:10 JST AkaSci 🛰️

     in reply to

     The Artemis II downlink is still active. It has continued sending video from the GoPro camera. This is a still from the webcast of the Solar eclipse, as the Sun disappeared behind the Moon.

     Note that the Sun appears much smaller than the Moon from this vantage point.

     Uplink and two-way comms came up shortly thereafter.

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RwfNBtepa4
     55/n