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Artemis II Crew Breaks Apollo 13 Record, Circles Moon

April 7, 2026

Summary

The four-person Artemis II crew set a new human spaceflight record, traveling 252,756 miles from Earth, exceeding Apollo 13's 1970 record, and experienced a 40-minute communication blackout while orbiting the Moon's far side.

How coverage differs

Left outlets emphasize Artemis II's successful, record-setting moon flyby and safe return trajectory, whereas right outlets highlight the crew's achievement of traveling deeper into space and beginning their return.

  • Left: Record-breaking Artemis II mission expands humanity's reach into cosmos Left-leaning outlets emphasize the successful completion of the Artemis II mission's record-setting moon flyby. They highlight the crew's safe return trajectory after achieving the farthest human travel from Earth.
  • Center: Artemis II sets new human spaceflight distance record Center outlets report factually on the Artemis II mission, highlighting that the crew broke Apollo 13's 1970 distance record. They note that humans have now traveled farther from Earth than ever before.
  • Right: Artemis II returns after historic deep space journey, unique lunar views Right-leaning outlets focus on the Artemis II crew's achievement of traveling 'deeper into space than any other humans,' setting a new record. They detail the mission's reemergence from behind the Moon and the commencement of its four-day return to Earth.

Coverage by lane

Left

  • Artemis II swings back around after completing record-setting moon flyby

Center

  • Artemis II breaks Apollo 13’s distance record as humans travel farther from Earth than ever before

Right

  • Artemis II reemerges from behind the Moon and begins four-day return to Earth after crew set record for travelling deeper into space than any other humans

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