NASA has released the first images captured by astronauts aboard the Artemis II Orion spacecraft as they journey toward the Moon.
The photographs were taken by mission commander Reid Wiseman using a tablet equipped with a camera. Both images offer striking views of Earth. One was described by mission control at NASA Johnson Space Center as a powerful reminder that, no matter how far humanity travels, we remain one shared world—watching, hoping, and striving for more.
The second image, taken through one of Orion’s windows, presents another perspective of Earth, likened to a “pale blue dot” seen through the astronauts’ own eyes.
These visuals echo reflections shared by mission specialist Christina Koch during a media interaction on the second day of the mission. She spoke about the overwhelming experience of seeing Earth in its entirety from space, describing it as both expected and yet impossible to fully prepare for—the planet glowing brilliantly by day and illuminated by the Moon at night. The anticipation of witnessing similar views of the Moon, she added, has only deepened her excitement.
During the same exchange, Wiseman recalled a particularly moving moment when the spacecraft was reoriented as the Sun set behind Earth. The crew was able to see the planet in full—from pole to pole—including continents like Africa and Europe, and even glimpses of the northern lights. He described it as a breathtaking sight that brought all four astronauts to a standstill.
He also noted, with a touch of humour, that Orion’s windows are already smudged from the crew frequently pressing up against them to take in the view, even asking about proper cleaning procedures.
At one point, the astronauts delayed their first shared meal in space, choosing instead to remain by the windows, captivated by the sight of Earth’s dark side illuminated by the Moon. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen described the view as phenomenal, admitting that the crew found it hard to step away, fully absorbed in photographing the scene.
