Historic Space Link: Artemis II Astronauts Connect With International Space Station

Tue Apr 07 2026 21:17:59 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a groundbreaking moment, the Artemis II crew made history by establishing the first ever moonship-to-spaceship radio link during their mission back from the moon.

HOUSTON (AP) — The astronauts of Artemis II shared a joyful connection with their comrades aboard the International Space Station while returning from their lunar mission, marking the first-ever moonship-to-spaceship communication. This significant moment highlighted the advancements in space exploration since the Apollo missions. The crew, aiming for a splashdown off the San Diego coast, prepares for future Artemis missions, including the planned Artemis III lunar lander docking demo.

HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts returned with excitement after making a remarkable lunar flyby, establishing a historic radio link with their colleagues aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This connection marks the first moonship-to-spaceship communication in history, a significant evolution from the solitary Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s.

On Tuesday, Christina Koch of Artemis II and Jessica Meir aboard the ISS shared a spirited conversation, brought alive by memories of their previous collaborations, including the groundbreaking all-female spacewalk in 2019. Despite the considerable distance of 230,000 miles (370,000 kilometers) separating them, their connection bridged that gap both technologically and emotionally.

During the lively exchange facilitated by Houston's Mission Control, the lunar crew, consisting of commander Reid Wiseman and astronauts, recalled their extraordinary moments in space, including stunning visuals of their lunar rendezvous. Wiseman shared breathtaking photos, reminiscent of Apollo 8’s iconic Earthrise image from 1968, showcasing planetary beauty from a new perspective.

The Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar exploration since Apollo 17 in 1972, aims for a splashdown off San Diego on Friday, completing an expansive nearly 10-day test flight. This mission sets an exciting precedent for the upcoming Artemis III lunar lander demonstration orbiting Earth next year, followed by Artemis IV, where two astronauts are slated to land near the lunar south pole by 2028.

This exhilarating chapter in space exploration showcases not only the advances achieved since the days of Apollo but also the spirit of international cooperation as humanity ventures further into the cosmos.