Four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft have transmitted a series of photographs from their ongoing mission, providing a unique perspective of Earth and the surrounding space. The images, sent back to ground control teams, document the early stages of the Artemis 2 journey. One of the initial photographs, titled “Hello,” captures a striking view of the Atlantic Ocean.
The image showcases the expansive blue waters, framed by the atmospheric glow, with Earth positioned to partially obscure the sun. The photograph highlights the planet’s curvature, revealing both the Northern and Southern polar regions. The orientation of Earth is also prominently displayed, with recognizable landmasses visible in an inverted position.
The Sahara Desert and the Iberian Peninsula are visible on the left side of the image, while the eastern portion of South America is visible on the right. NASA identified a bright point in the lower right corner of the photograph as the planet Venus. The images were taken during the early hours of Friday following the successful completion of the translunar ignition.
This critical maneuver propelled the Orion spacecraft out of Earth’s orbit and initiated its journey toward the moon.
