Artemis II will fly around the Moon on today (Monday, April 6, 2026), with their closest approach occurring at approximately 7:02 p.m. EDT. The spacecraft will lose communication with mission control at roughly 6:47 p.m. EDT as it passes behind the lunar far side, re-establishing contact around 7:27 p.m. EDT.
Key times for the lunar flyby (April 6, 2026, EDT):

2:45 p.m. - Lunar observation period begins.
6:47 p.m. - Predicted loss of communication (behind the Moon).
7:02 p.m. - Closest approach to the Moon (roughly 4,000 miles).
7:07 p.m. - Farthest distance reached from Earth.
7:27 p.m. - Communication with mission control re-acquired.