HOUSTON — In a moment that echoes through the ages of space exploration, the Artemis II astronauts made history by establishing the first-ever radio link between a moonship and the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday. This remarkable achievement showcases the technological advancements since NASA's Apollo missions that navigated the vastness of space in the 1960s and 70s without the instant connection of contemporary systems.
Christina Koch, aboard Artemis II, and Jessica Meir on the ISS enjoyed this cosmic reunion, even while separated by a staggering 230,000 miles (370,000 kilometers). Their camaraderie harkens back to their previous collaboration during the first all-female spacewalk in 2019, showcasing the continuous contributions of women in space exploration.
The conversation was facilitated by Houston’s Mission Control, allowing the four Apollo travelers to chat with three NASA members and a French astronaut stationed in orbit. As the excitement built, Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman shared breathtaking images of their recent lunar rendezvous that set a new record for distance traveled by humans.
One striking image, reminiscent of the iconic Earthrise photo captured by Apollo 8 in 1968, underscores the awe-inspiring journey that humanity is embarking on. The crew's planned splashdown off San Diego is set for Friday, concluding a nearly 10-day test flight that paves the way for future Artemis missions.
The Artemis III mission is already on the horizon, featuring a lunar lander docking demonstration in 2024, followed by Artemis IV aiming to land astronauts near the lunar south pole by 2028.
