The Artemis II crew entered the moon's gravitational sphere of influence on Sunday (April 5), as they prepared to reach the farthest distance humans have ever traveled in space in the Orion crew capsule.
"This means that the Moon's gravitational forces are now greater on the Orion spacecraft than those on Earth," NASA announced.
Orion will pass behind the Moon on a “free return” trajectory – a path that naturally brings the spacecraft back toward Earth without requiring additional thrust. The spacecraft will reach its greatest distance from Earth during this phase.
Meanwhile, Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke has sent a special message to the Artemis II crew as they approach their destination on the moon.
"There is a picture of my family on the moon. I pray that it will remind you that we, America and the world, are standing with you," Duke said in his recorded message.
The encouraging words from an astronaut who has previously set foot on the moon come at a symbolic moment for the Artemis II crew, the mission which represents an important step in humanity's return to Earth's natural satellite.
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