In the same way that Artemis II serves as the first crewed flight to test technology for future missions to the moon and Mars, Apollo 8, which launched on Dec. 21, 1968, also served as a lunar landing preparation mission, preceding Apollo 11's July 1969 lunar landing.

Monday, April 6, was Flight Day 6 for the Artemis 2 mission. In many ways it was the mission's climax, containing the lunar flyby, the closest approach to the Moon, and the literal turning point as the crew is now headed back to Earth.

The four astronauts' lunar flyby captures the American imagination just when we need it most.

Fans were eager to see the Artemis II crew's recreation of the “Earthrise” photo taken by Apollo 8 on Dec. 24, 1968 by William Anders. The iconic picture shows Earth peeking out from beyond the lunar surface as the Apollo 8 crew circumnavigated the Moon.

NASA's Artemis 2 mission will send four astronauts to circle the moon, similar to the Apollo 8 mission of 1968. Like Apollo 8, the Artemis 2 crew will not land on the moon but will test systems for future lunar landings. The Artemis 2 crew will travel ...

The "very eerie" parallel was drawn between the NASA missions as tensions escalate between President Donald Trump and Iran.

Still marveling over their moon mission, the Artemis II astronauts received a thunderous welcome home Saturday from hundreds who took part in NASA's lunar comeback that set a record for deep space travel.