Artemis Science: Visualizing NASA’s Next Lunar Flyby

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: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis-ii-science/ 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 https://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: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14938. For more information on NASA’s media guidelines, visit https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-brand-center/images-and-media/. If you liked this video, subscribe to the NASA Goddard YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/NASAGoddard Follow NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center · Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nasagoddard · X: http://twitter.com/NASAGoddard · Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NASAGoddard · Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc