Orion Crew Ship Makes Closest Approach to Moon on April 7, Breaking Apollo 13 Distance Record

The Orion spacecraft will make its closest approach to the Moon's far side on the morning of April 7 JST.

NASA says Orion will come within about 6,550 km of the lunar surface at 08:02 JST.

About seven minutes after closest approach, Orion is expected to be about 406,800 km from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record.

The mission uses a trajectory that passes the Moon's far side and returns to Earth, requiring precise gravity-assisted navigation.

Crew will endure about 40 minutes of communication blackout and will observe and photograph far-side terrain.