A new chapter of space exploration officially began as NASA’s Artemis II mission around the moon brought humans further into space than we’ve ever gone before.
On April 6, 2026, NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, Christina Koch, and Reid Wiseman made history by surpassing the record for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth, a record previously held by the Apollo 13 crew, set in 1970.
Artemis II crew captures Earthset at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026 during their journey around the far side of the Moon.
Artemis II crew captures Earthset at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026 during their journey around the far side of the Moon.
Artemis II, the first crewed Artemis flight, is NASA’s first step towards future moon landings and missions to Mars. The mission’s primary objectives included validating the Orion spacecraft’s systems, crew operations, and mission procedures in preparation for the next Artemis missions.
While the success of this mission is just the first milestone in the next chapter of human spaceflight, it has marked a monumental new era of improved technology and data.
NASA’s golden era is only just beginning, but this mission alone has already sparked a shared sense of pride and humanity among millions. Despite Artemis II not being widely anticipated by the general public, worldwide interest in the mission rapidly grew post-launch.
As Artemis II continued gaining traction on social media, mission specialist Christina Koch has especially been highlighted for her inspirational career and achievements.
Orion, the Moon, and Earth captured from a distance by a camera on one of Orion’s solar arrays.
Koch has been a part of NASA Astronaut Corps since 2013, serving as a flight engineer on the International Space Station for three expeditions. She has received many recognitions for her contributions to NASA including the Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence, where she was praised for her achievements and breaking new ground for women in STEM.
In addition to her time on the International Space Station, Koch has completed six spacewalks – three of them composed of an all-female crew. She additionally holds the record for longest single spaceflight by a woman, completing 5,248 orbits around the Earth.
Users on various social media platforms voiced the positive influence Koch had on them during her time on the Artemis II mission. Many acknowledged her as a major source of inspiration when it comes to their own lives, hobbies, and careers.
Some describe how Koch reignited their passion for astronomy, physics, or aerospace engineering. Others say they’ve been inspired to complete their degrees, go back to school, or switch career paths entirely. Many have simply expressed their love for the shared sense of accomplishment and unity brought by this mission.
One woman anonymously stated, “I feel so tied to this mission, especially to Christina Koch. I’m so proud of her, I’m so proud of myself, and I’m so proud of all the women out there who are pursuing their dreams”.
The Artemis II crew – Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen.
The Artemis II crew – Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen.
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