Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
NASA’s Artemis missions are sending astronauts to explore the Moon for the first time in over fifty years. In early 2026, four Artemis II crew members will fly by the lunar far side at an altitude of approximately 3,000 to 9,000 miles, testing the Orion capsule and venturing further into deep space than anyone has gone before.
Artemis II Visualization Lead Ernie Wright has simulated views of the flyby using detailed topographic maps of the lunar terrain and photorealistic lighting scenarios. The Artemis II crew members are using these visualizations to prepare for their historic mission, which will pave the way for future exploration of the Moon’s surface and beyond.
Learn more: nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis-ii-science
This video is available with audio descriptions: youtu.be/K8VOTUavd4g
Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Ernie Wright: Visualizer/Interviewee
Dan Gallagher: Producer/Graphics
Rob Andreoli: Videographer
John D. Philyaw: Videographer
Krystofer Kim: Animator
Michael Lentz: Animator
Chris Smith: Animator
Kelsey Young: Photographer
James Blair: Photographer
Lonnie Shekhtman: Public Affairs
Molly Wasser: Support
Caela Barry: Support
Noah Petro: Support
Katy Mersmann: Support
Jacob Kegerreis: Research Scientist
Aaron E. Lepsch: Technical Support
Universal Production Music: “Black Cloud” and “Magic Trick” by Hugo Dubery [SACEM] and Philippe Galtier [SACEM]; “Connecting Ideas” by Christopher Timothy White [PRS]; “Transitions” by Ben Niblett [PRS] and Jon Cotton [PRS]
This video can be freely shared and downloaded at svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14938. While the video in its entirety can be shared without permission, the music and some individual imagery may have been obtained through permission and may not be excised or remixed in other products. Specific details on such imagery may be found here: svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14938. For more information on NASA’s media guidelines, visit nasa.gov/nasa-brand-center/images-and-media/.
If you liked this video, subscribe to the NASA Goddard YouTube channel: youtube.com/NASAGoddard
Follow NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
· Instagram: instagram.com/nasagoddard
· X: twitter.com/NASAGoddard
· Facebook: facebook.com/NASAGoddard
· Flickr: flickr.com/photos/gsfc
NASA’s Artemis missions are sending astronauts to explore the Moon for the first time in over fifty years. In early 2026, four Artemis II crew members will fly by the lunar far side at an altitude of approximately 3,000 to 9,000 miles, testing the Orion capsule and venturing further into deep space than anyone has gone before.
Artemis II Visualization Lead Ernie Wright has simulated views of the flyby using detailed topographic maps of the lunar terrain and photorealistic lighting scenarios. The Artemis II crew members are using these visualizations to prepare for their historic mission, which will pave the way for future exploration of the Moon’s surface and beyond.
Learn more: nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis-ii-science
This video is available with audio descriptions: youtu.be/K8VOTUavd4g
Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Ernie Wright: Visualizer/Interviewee
Dan Gallagher: Producer/Graphics
Rob Andreoli: Videographer
John D. Philyaw: Videographer
Krystofer Kim: Animator
Michael Lentz: Animator
Chris Smith: Animator
Kelsey Young: Photographer
James Blair: Photographer
Lonnie Shekhtman: Public Affairs
Molly Wasser: Support
Caela Barry: Support
Noah Petro: Support
Katy Mersmann: Support
Jacob Kegerreis: Research Scientist
Aaron E. Lepsch: Technical Support
Universal Production Music: “Black Cloud” and “Magic Trick” by Hugo Dubery [SACEM] and Philippe Galtier [SACEM]; “Connecting Ideas” by Christopher Timothy White [PRS]; “Transitions” by Ben Niblett [PRS] and Jon Cotton [PRS]
This video can be freely shared and downloaded at svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14938. While the video in its entirety can be shared without permission, the music and some individual imagery may have been obtained through permission and may not be excised or remixed in other products. Specific details on such imagery may be found here: svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14938. For more information on NASA’s media guidelines, visit nasa.gov/nasa-brand-center/images-and-media/.
If you liked this video, subscribe to the NASA Goddard YouTube channel: youtube.com/NASAGoddard
Follow NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
· Instagram: instagram.com/nasagoddard
· X: twitter.com/NASAGoddard
· Facebook: facebook.com/NASAGoddard
· Flickr: flickr.com/photos/gsfc
