NASA Releases Artemis II Audio as Astronauts Record Historic Transition into Lunar Gravitational Influence

NASA releases Artemis II audio as the crew enters the Moon's gravity. The historic April 6 flyby is set to break the record for human distance from Earth.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 7, 2026, 3:38 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Newsweek

Gravitational Transition into the Lunar Sphere

NASA has released a dramatic audio recording from the Artemis II mission, documenting the precise moment the Orion spacecraft transitioned from Earth's gravity to the Moon's gravitational pull. In the recording, astronaut Christina Koch informed mission control that the crew had entered the lunar sphere of influence approximately one hour prior and was effectively "falling" toward the Moon. This transition marks a critical navigational milestone, signaling that the Moon’s gravitational pull has become the dominant force acting upon the spacecraft.

Breaking Records for Deep Space Exploration

The Artemis II crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, is slated to set a new record for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth. On Monday, the mission will surpass the record previously held by the Apollo 13 crew as they maneuver around the far side of the Moon. NASA officials confirmed via social media that the trajectory remains aligned for this historic deep-space achievement, which serves as a vital precursor to future lunar landings.

Timeline for the Lunar Flyby and Communication Blackout

The mission profile for Monday, April 6, includes several key milestones as the spacecraft approaches the lunar surface. The flyby is expected to commence around 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time, with a scheduled communication blackout occurring at 6:44 p.m. as Orion passes behind the Moon. During this 40-minute window, the crew will be out of contact with Earth, reaching their closest approach to the lunar surface at approximately 7:02 p.m. before concluding the flyby sequence at 9:20 p.m.