Houston We Have A Podcast: Artemis II Astronauts by NASA

NASA's Artemis II mission flew NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day journey around the Moon in April 2026. Artemis II was the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years and NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

The Artemis II mission embarked on a lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. At 6:44 p.m. EDT (2244 UTC), the Orion spacecraft entered a planned communications blackout as it passed behind the Moon. For about 40 minutes, the lunar surface blocked the radio signals from NASA’s Deep Space Network on Earth needed to stay in contact with the crew. During this time period, the spacecraft and its crew made their closest lunar approach, flying at about 4,067 miles above the lunar surface. This audio clip was captured when mission control reacquired signal with the Artemis II following the planned loss of signal. You can hear the voices of mission control and Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch.

NASA's Artemis II mission flew NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day journey around the Moon in April 2026. Artemis II was the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years and NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

The Artemis II mission embarked on a lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. At 6:44 p.m. EDT (2244 UTC), the Orion spacecraft entered a planned communications blackout as it passed behind the Moon. For about 40 minutes, the lunar surface blocked the radio signals from NASA’s Deep Space Network on Earth needed to stay in contact with the crew. In this audio clip, you are hearing the voice of public affairs officer Leah Cheshier Mustachio during the live coverage of the lunar flyby.

NASA's Artemis II mission flew NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day journey around the Moon in April 2026. Artemis II was the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years and NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

The Artemis II mission embarked on a lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. At 6:44 p.m. EDT (2244 UTC), the Orion spacecraft entered a planned communications blackout as it passed behind the Moon. For about 40 minutes, the lunar surface blocked the radio signals from NASA’s Deep Space Network on Earth needed to stay in contact with the crew. This audio clip is from the live broadcast of the lunar flyby coverage just before Orion entered the blackout period. You can hear the voices of mission control and Artemis II pilot Victor Glover.

NASA's Artemis II mission flew NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day journey around the Moon in April 2026. Artemis II was the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years and NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

As they flew over the Moon’s far side on April 6, 2026, the Artemis II crew photographed and described terrain features including impact craters, ancient lava flows, and surface cracks and ridges formed as the Moon slowly evolved over time. They also noted differences in color, brightness and texture, which provide clues that help scientists understand the composition and history of the lunar surface. In this audio clip, you can hear the voice of Artemis II pilot Victor Glover during the live broadcast of the lunar flyby.

NASA's Artemis II mission flew NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day journey around the Moon in April 2026. Artemis II was the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years and NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

On April 6, 2026, the Artemis II crew embarked on a lunar flyby. This audio clip is from the live broadcast of the flyby. You can hear the voices of mission control and Artemis II pilot Victor Glover.

NASA's Artemis II mission flew NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day journey around the Moon in April 2026. Artemis II was the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years and NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

The Artemis II mission embarked on a lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. As they flew over the Moon’s far side, the crew photographed and described terrain features including impact craters, ancient lava flows, and surface cracks and ridges formed as the Moon slowly evolved over time. They also noted differences in color, brightness and texture, which provide clues that help scientists understand the composition and history of the lunar surface. In this audio clip, you can hear the voices of Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman and mission control in Houston.

NASA's Artemis II mission flew NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day journey around the Moon in April 2026. Artemis II was the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years and NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Ahead of the lunar flyby on April 6, 2026, the crew provisionally named a couple of craters on the Moon, noting they were able to see them with their naked eye. Just northwest of Orientale basin is a crater they suggested be named Integrity after their spacecraft. Just northeast of Integrity, on the near and far side boundary, is a crater that the crew suggested be named Carroll in honor of Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll Taylor Wiseman.

In this clip, you can hear the voices of Artemis II mission specialist Jeremy Hansen and mission control in Houston.

NASA's Artemis II mission flew NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day journey around the Moon in April 2026. Artemis II was the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years and NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

This voice check took place following the launch of Artemis II on April 1, 2026.

NASA's Artemis II mission flew NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day journey around the Moon in April 2026. Artemis II was the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years and NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

This communications check took place following the launch of Artemis II on April 1, 2026.