The four-strong team of three Americans and one Canadian overtook the distance milestone of 248,655 miles (400,171 kilometres) held by the Apollo 13 crew for 56 years. They are expected to ultimately reach about 252,760 miles (406,778 kilometres) from Earth, smashing the record by some 4,100 miles (6,600 kilometres). The capsule is on a trajectory that will take it around the Moon and then use its gravity for a “free” return journey. The last time Nasa sent astronauts to the Moon was as part of the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The agency is seeking to return a crew to the lunar surface by 2028, before China does in about 2030.

Source: The Herald April 07, 2026 02:18 UTC