We have never been this far from home. Artemis 2 has officially broken the record for the farthest human spaceflight in history. (Photo: Nasa)

Artemis 2 breaks Apollo 13's 56-year record, becomes farthest human spaceflight

Humanity has reached a new frontier as Artemis 2 breaks the record for the furthest distance travelled. The crew is now further from Earth than any human ever.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Artemis 2 has broken the 56-year distance record.
  • This milestone proves Orion is ready for deep space missions.
  • The crew is now further from Earth than Apollo 13.

Humanity has just reached a new frontier.

At 11:26 p.m. IST on Monday, April 6, the Artemis 2 mission officially broke the record for the farthest distance from Earth ever travelled by humans. This record was previously held by Apollo 13.

Artemis 2 has broken Apollo 13’s 56-year distance record. (Photo: Nasa)

The four Artemis 2 astronauts, Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen have reached a distance of 4,06,777 kilometres, surpassing the Apollo 13 record of 4,00,171 kilometres by 2,500 kilometres.

By pushing further into the void, the four astronauts are now further from their home planet than anyone in history. It is a milestone that marks our true return to deep space.

WHAT FURTHER RECORDS WILL BE SET BY ARTEMIS 2?

The spacecraft will reach its absolute maximum distance from Earth at 4:37 a.m. IST on Tuesday, April 7, shortly after its closest approach to the Moon.

The Artemis 2 crew is now further from Earth than Apollo 13 had travelled. (Photo: Nasa)

The journey began in earnest when Orion entered the lunar sphere of influence at 10:11 a.m. IST on Monday, and it won't exit until 10:55 p.m. IST on Tuesday.

WHY IS BREAKING THIS RECORD SO IMPORTANT?

It proves our technology can sustain life much further from Earth than we once thought.

Lunar observations will begin at 12:15 a.m. IST on Tuesday, and a solar eclipse later in the morning.

Humanity has reached a new frontier as Artemis 2 breaks the record for the furthest distance travelled. (Photo: Nasa)

If we can safely send humans this far, it gives Nasa the confidence to plan missions to Mars. We are learning how to build ships for the long haul.

HOW DOES THE CREW FEEL AT THIS EXTREME DISTANCE?

The astronauts are focused on their science goals, having been briefed at 11:00 p.m. IST on Monday.

Despite the technical demands, they are experiencing the overview effect, seeing Earth as a single, unified home.

The four Artemis 2 astronauts, Reid Wiseman, Christina Kocha, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen have reached a distance of 4,06,777 kilometres, surpassing the Apollo 13 record of 4,00,171 kilometres by 2,500 kilometres. (Photo: Nasa)

They will endure a communications blackout at 4:14 a.m. IST before seeing Earth rise again at 4:55 a.m. IST, a reminder of the home they left behind.

- Ends