NASA has published the first photographs of Earth taken by astronauts aboard the Artemis II Orion spacecraft as it continues its journey toward the Moon.
The striking images were snapped by mission commander Reid Wiseman using a tablet device equipped with a camera and through one of the capsule’s windows. Both pictures offer breathtaking perspectives of our home planet from deep space.
NASA described one photo as a powerful visual reminder that “no matter how far we explore, we share one world, looking up, hoping, and striving higher.” The second shot, showing Earth as a pale blue globe against the darkness of space, was taken from a cabin window.
Mission specialist Christina Koch spoke during a media downlink about the awe‑inspiring sight, saying seeing the whole planet through the spacecraft’s viewports made her even more excited about upcoming views of the Moon.
Commander Wiseman also recounted an unforgettable moment when Mission Control reoriented the spacecraft as the sun set behind Earth, revealing the entire globe from pole to pole and even the northern lights — a moment that captivated the crew.
Canadian Space Agency astronaut and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen added that the crew delayed their first meal in space so they could keep taking pictures of the stunning scenery outside their windows.