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Artemis II Astronauts Prepare Orion for Lunar Flyby, Conduct Deep Space Tests

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On April 3, 2026, the third day of the Artemis II mission, NASA astronaut Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen commenced preparations of the Orion crew capsule for its upcoming lunar flyby. Their activities also included physical exercise, medical response procedure practice, and testing of the spacecraft's emergency communications system in deep space.

Their activities also included physical exercise, medical response procedure practice, and testing of the spacecraft's emergency communications system in deep space.

Inside the Orion Capsule

Inside the Orion crew capsule, cabin lights were reportedly turned off to prevent glare on the windows. During this period, astronaut Christina Koch was observed reading on a tablet, while astronaut Jeremy Hansen was seen looking out of a window.

Operational and Health-Related Tasks

The astronauts focused on preparing the cabin for the maneuvers associated with the lunar flyby. In addition to these preparations, the crew engaged in several operational and health-related tasks:

  • Physical Exercise: Astronauts conducted physical exercise routines.
  • Medical Procedures: Practice drills for medical response procedures were performed.
  • Emergency Communications: The spacecraft's emergency communications system was tested within a deep space environment.