The upcoming Artemis II mission is poised to make history, not just by sending humans into deep space for the first time in half a century, but by potentially offering the first direct human observation of one of the most dramatic yet unseen features on the Moon: Mare Orientale. This colossal impact basin, almost 600 miles across, lies on the far side of the Moon, largely hidden from Earth’s view due to the Moon’s synchronous rotation.
The Forgotten Impact
Mare Orientale is a relic of a cataclysmic event. An ancient, asteroid-like body slammed into the lunar crust, creating a massive scar now partially filled with dark volcanic lava. While visible in orbital images, this “Eastern Sea” has never been witnessed by human eyes in sunlight. This matters because robotic probes and satellites can capture data, but the human visual system excels at picking out subtle details that machines often miss.
A Unique Opportunity: Flight Path and Timing
The Artemis II astronauts – Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen – will loop around the Moon in the Orion capsule. The timing of the launch, combined with the spacecraft’s trajectory, creates a rare opportunity to observe up to 60% of the far side that no human has seen directly. This isn’t the first time humans have seen the far side (Apollo 8 first glimpsed it in 1968), but this mission’s conditions could reveal previously unseen surface features.
Beyond the “Dark Side” Myth
The far side was once called “the dark side,” a misnomer that persists today. It doesn’t mean the hemisphere is perpetually in darkness; it simply refers to the side always facing away from Earth. The Moon’s orbit and rotation align in such a way that only one face is visible from our planet. Luna 3, a Soviet probe, first revealed the far side’s existence in 1959, shattering the misconception that it was shrouded in shadow.
Why Human Observation Matters
NASA expects the Artemis II crew to spend three full hours observing the lunar surface, using their eyes, cameras, and direct communication with mission control. They’ve received training to recognize subtle grayscale variations that hint at different rock types and geological ages. The Moon will appear roughly the size of a basketball held at arm’s length, providing a detailed view.
The near side of the Moon has been heavily altered by lava flows, erasing much of its early history. The far side, however, retains a more pristine record of cosmic impacts, making it a valuable site for scientific study. China’s recent success in landing an uncrewed probe on the far side demonstrates that access is improving, but firsthand human observation offers an unparalleled advantage.
“We hope it’s not ‘the dark side’,” astronaut Christina Koch remarked, “We hope it’s the lit far side.”
The Artemis II mission could not only rewrite our understanding of the Moon’s history but also help identify optimal landing sites for future missions. The crew might just transform our familiar gray satellite into something new.
