# Artemis II Commander Recounts Fear During Record-Breaking Lunar Mission Commander Reid Wiseman describes the terrifying moment his crew exceeded their planned distance from Earth. - **Source:** [Science & tech Articles | Mail Online](https://www.dailymail.com?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490) - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f430f2f4-3124-41fe-9f70-cd310d9ac2c9 ## Unexpected Distance Milestone During the Artemis II mission, Commander Reid Wiseman experienced a moment of genuine fear when the shuttle exceeded its projected maximum distance from Earth. While performing a lunar flyby, the onboard odometer surpassed the expected 219,667 nautical miles. This unexpected increase caused significant concern regarding the crew's ability to return home safely. ## Breaking Apollo 13 Records The Artemis II crew reached a total distance of 219,669 nautical miles from Earth, officially surpassing the previous human distance record set by Apollo 13 in 1970. This milestone was reached while flying over the dark side of the Moon, marking a significant achievement in modern space exploration and deep space navigation capabilities. ## Psychological Preparation for Risk Before the April 1, 2026 launch, the crew openly discussed the possibility of catastrophic failure. Mission specialist Jeremy Hansen noted that the team reached a state of peace regarding potential risks. They focused on how to maintain composure if they faced a scenario where returning to Earth was no longer a possibility. ## The Return Trajectory After a tense three-minute period of monitoring the odometer, the readings finally began to decrease, signaling that the spacecraft had begun its return journey. The crew cheered as the trajectory confirmed they were heading back toward Earth. This critical moment validated the mission's complex slingshot maneuver around the lunar surface as planned. ## Earthsickness and Perspective Commander Wiseman described experiencing 'Earthsickness' while observing the planet as a tiny dot against the infinite blackness of space. This profound feeling shifted his focus toward simple earthly desires, such as reuniting with family and experiencing nature. He noted that the perspective gained from such distance is difficult for humanity to comprehend. ## Splashdown and Recovery The mission concluded on April 10, 2026, with a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego. The Orion capsule deployed its parachute system at 22,000 feet, touching down at 20 miles per hour. Despite strong ocean currents delaying the recovery, the crew was safely hoisted into helicopters and transported to the USS John P. Murtha. ## Scientific and Cultural Impact At the Starmus Festival in Tenerife, the four astronauts were honored with Stephen Hawking medals for science communication. The mission, which included the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit, has provided unique insights into the human experience of deep space. The crew continues to share their reflections on the mission's spiritual impact. ## Mission Success Analysis The Artemis II mission successfully demonstrated the capabilities of the Orion crew module and service module integration. By traveling 700,237 total miles, the mission proved the viability of long-duration deep space flight. The successful re-entry and recovery operations underscore the precision required for future lunar exploration and the safety protocols governing modern spaceflight. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-16219361/Artemis-II-astronaut-reveals-feared-crew-lost-space-straying-far-Earth.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._