The Artemis II crew became the fastest humans in space since the Apollo era, reaching speeds of 24,664 mph (Mach 39) during reentry, just shy of the Apollo 10 record. The crew received a commemorative patch for their achievement, though the exact Mach number is still being verified due to measurement complexities at high altitudes. This mission marks the first crewed lunar flyby since 1972 and demonstrates significant progress in NASA's Artemis program.
Background
NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence, with Artemis II being the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. The program represents a significant step toward future Mars missions.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Jun 9, 2026 at 03:40 AM
- Score
- 6.0 / 10