Fun and Interesting Facts About Artimis II
A fun and lighthearted aspect of the Artemis II mission is that the crew has access to 189 unique menu items, including treats like chocolate, cookies, and even smoothies and coffee.
Beyond the snacks, here are some other engaging highlights from the current April 2026 flight:
- Extraordinary Views: Astronaut Jeremy Hansen described the experience as making him feel “like a little kid,” particularly noting the “extraordinary” views from the Orion capsule.
- The “Basketball” Moon: At their closest approach, the Moon will appear to the astronauts as large as a basketball held at arm’s length.
- Floating Smartphones: In a first for deep space missions, the crew is using unbound smartphones to capture high-definition photos and videos of the lunar surface.
- Symbolic Passengers: While only four humans are on board, the spacecraft is carrying digital “boarding passes” for thousands of people worldwide who submitted their names to fly along symbolically.
- Fun with Physics: The crew has been seen on live streams practicing their movements and floating around in microgravity, which they use to prepare for their lunar observation tasks.
- Hitching a Ride: The mission also includes unique “passengers” like Shaun the Sheep and Snoopy plushies, which serve as zero-G indicators for the crew.