'Humans Orbiting The Moon': Artemis 2 Makes A Historic Lunar Flyby During 40-Min Blackout | Video

Last Updated:April 07, 2026, 11:54 IST

Viral video shows NASA Artemis II Orion spacecraft flying close to the Moon, revealing detailed craters, with a 40 minute loss of contact, shared by Elon Musk on X

A stunning video of NASA’s Artemis II spacecraft flying close to the Moon has gone viral, offering a rare glimpse of the Moon’s surface. The clip also captured a key moment in the mission as astronauts lost connection with Earth that lasted for 40 minutes during their historic journey.

The video that is doing rounds on social media sites shows the Orion spacecraft passing near the lunar surface, revealing craters and ridges in sharp detail. The visuals give a rare view of the Moon as if seen from low altitude, drawing global attention.

‘HUMANS ORBITING THE MOON’

The same clip was also shared by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on X with a caption that read, “NASA Artemis Passing Close To The Moon".

The mission marks the first time in over 50 years that humans have travelled around the Moon. During the flyby, the four-member crew went as close as about 4,000 miles to the lunar surface and recorded images of areas never directly seen before.

However, the most critical phase came when the spacecraft moved behind the Moon, leading to a communication blackout lasting around 40 minutes. During this period, all contact with NASA was lost due to the Moon blocking radio signals.

NASA said the mission is a key step towards future lunar landings and long-term human presence on the Moon, with plans to eventually send astronauts to Mars.

The Artemis II mission is currently on its return journey and is expected to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

News world 'Humans Orbiting The Moon': Artemis 2 Makes A Historic Lunar Flyby During 40-Min Blackout | Video

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