Historic Space Linkup: Artemis II Astronauts Connect with ISS Crew

Tue Apr 07 2026 21:23:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a groundbreaking event, the Artemis II astronauts established the first-ever communication link between a lunar spacecraft and the International Space Station, marking a historic moment in space exploration.

The Artemis II crew celebrated their successful lunar flyby by connecting with friends aboard the International Space Station, creating the first moon-to-space radio linkup in history. This event highlights the progress in space exploration since the Apollo missions and sets the stage for future missions involving lunar landings.

HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts, buoyed by their successful lunar flyby, made history on Tuesday by establishing a communication link with the International Space Station (ISS). This milestone event marks the first time a lunar spacecraft has connected with a space station, showcasing humanity's advancements in space exploration.

During the linkup, Christina Koch on Artemis II and Jessica Meir aboard the ISS shared a moment of joy, reconnecting for the first time since their collaboration on the first all-female spacewalk in 2019. The two crews, separated by 230,000 miles (370,000 kilometers), enjoyed a lighthearted conversation facilitated by Mission Control in Houston.

Reid Wiseman, the commander of Artemis II, continued to share stunning images from the lunar rendezvous, including a breathtaking Earthset photo that echoed the iconic Earthrise captured by Apollo 8 in 1968. As the first mission since Apollo 17 in 1972 to travel towards the moon, the Artemis II crew is preparing for a splashdown off San Diego following their nearly 10-day test flight.

This accomplishment paves the way for future Artemis missions: Artemis III will include a lunar lander docking demonstration in Earth orbit, and Artemis IV plans to land astronauts near the lunar south pole by 2028. NASA's strides in exploration highlight the evolution of deep space travel, reconnecting astronauts across vast distances.