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Artemis II On Track for Monday Lunar Flyby After Midcourse Milestone

The crewed test is a proof run of Orion that will shape timelines for future lunar landings.

Overview

  • Artemis II, which reached the halfway point Saturday, stayed on its planned route and controllers canceled the first trajectory correction.
  • NASA plans a lunar flyby Monday on a free‑return path about 6,500 km from the surface, guided by a targeted observation plan for surface imaging.
  • The four astronauts remain healthy and are sharing new views of Earth and the Moon, including a crewed shot of the Orientale basin.
  • Flight controllers reported a recurring freeze in Orion's lone toilet that formed an ice blockage, and teams are troubleshooting without changing the schedule.
  • The roughly 10‑day mission will loop around the Moon and return for a Pacific splashdown on April 10, with Orion expected to surpass Apollo 13's distance record after deploying four international CubeSats early in the flight.