Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Moon science? Yes. Preparing for our long-term future in space? Also yes. ✅✅
The Artemis II lunar flyby mission will give humanity a new perspective on the Moon, and test the systems and technology that will eventually bring astronauts to the lunar surface to stay.
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
Video description:
0:00 Montage of astronauts adjusting their flight suits and equipment, and descending from a spacecraft exit.
0:09 Illustration of a future astronaut on the lunar surface, with deployed hardware reflected in their visor.
0:12 Illustration of a future Moon crew at work on the lunar surface, with a rover in the background.
0:15 Illustration of an astronaut kneeling on the reddish-brown surface of Mars.
0:18 Montage of images of the Artemis mission and NASA employees.
0:23 Artemis logo against a purple and pink background.
0:25 Visualizations of Artemis spacecraft leaving Earth orbit for the Moon.
0:30 An astronaut manipulates a joystick.
0:36 Ernie Wright, Artemis II Visualization Lead, NASA Goddard, talking on camera.
0:41 Visualization of what the Artemis II crew might see as they fly by the Moon.
0:45 Maps comparing areas of the lunar surface that were visible to Apollo vs. Artemis crews. Artemis crews will see far more.
0:49 Animation of a possible trajectory for the Artemis II lunar flyby mission.
0:52 Data visualizations of the Apollo 8 spacecraft over the lunar surface with Earth over the Moon’s horizon.
0:59 Visualization zooming through the spacecraft, with Earthrise framed through a central window.
1:09 Views of Artemis II spacecraft with Earth’s horizon looming large in the background.
1:23 The Orion capsule speeds towards the Moon.
1:27 Artemis logo.
1:29 NASA logo.
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
Moon science? Yes. Preparing for our long-term future in space? Also yes. ✅✅
The Artemis II lunar flyby mission will give humanity a new perspective on the Moon, and test the systems and technology that will eventually bring astronauts to the lunar surface to stay.
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
Video description:
0:00 Montage of astronauts adjusting their flight suits and equipment, and descending from a spacecraft exit.
0:09 Illustration of a future astronaut on the lunar surface, with deployed hardware reflected in their visor.
0:12 Illustration of a future Moon crew at work on the lunar surface, with a rover in the background.
0:15 Illustration of an astronaut kneeling on the reddish-brown surface of Mars.
0:18 Montage of images of the Artemis mission and NASA employees.
0:23 Artemis logo against a purple and pink background.
0:25 Visualizations of Artemis spacecraft leaving Earth orbit for the Moon.
0:30 An astronaut manipulates a joystick.
0:36 Ernie Wright, Artemis II Visualization Lead, NASA Goddard, talking on camera.
0:41 Visualization of what the Artemis II crew might see as they fly by the Moon.
0:45 Maps comparing areas of the lunar surface that were visible to Apollo vs. Artemis crews. Artemis crews will see far more.
0:49 Animation of a possible trajectory for the Artemis II lunar flyby mission.
0:52 Data visualizations of the Apollo 8 spacecraft over the lunar surface with Earth over the Moon’s horizon.
0:59 Visualization zooming through the spacecraft, with Earthrise framed through a central window.
1:09 Views of Artemis II spacecraft with Earth’s horizon looming large in the background.
1:23 The Orion capsule speeds towards the Moon.
1:27 Artemis logo.
1:29 NASA logo.
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
