NASA Artemis II mission crew distance & altitude ratified
27.09.2026
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FAI, the World Air Sports Federation, has ratified the new FAI World Astronautic Records set by the NASA Artemis II crew in April 2026. These achievements in altitude and distance officially establish a new benchmark and herald the new era in space exploration.
In April 2026, the NASA Mission Artemis II astronauts Jeremy Hansen (Canada), Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Reid Wiseman (all USA), voyaged further and higher than any humans in history during their 10-day mission in the Orion spacecraft.
The new records
FAI Astronautic Record for Altitude above the Earth while in Earth orbit: On 2 April 2026 the Artemis II crew reached 70 149 km (43 588 miles) above Earth's surface. They travelled higher than the previous record of 1 369 km set by Gemini 11 in 1966 and the female record of 1 408 km set in September 2024 by Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon on the Polaris Dawn mission.
Artemis II crew. Credit: NASA/John Kraus
FAI Astronautic Record for Distance to Earth: On 6 April 2026, the Artemis II crew reached a distance of 406 767 km (252 753 miles) from Earth, surpassing not only the previous official FAI Astronautic Record of 377 668.9 km set by Apollo 8 in 1968, but also the 1970 Apollo 13 mission of 400 171 km, in which the damaged spacecraft was brought safely back to Earth under emergency circumstances.
FAI Astronautic Records - Female category: Christina Koch, the female Artemis II crew member, now holds two records in her name: Distance to Earth and Altitude above Earth while in Earth orbit.
Artemis II launch April 2026
SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II crew launches on 1 April 2026. Credit: NASA/Jim Ross
Under Artemis, NASA's objective is sustained human presence on the Moon and setting the foundations for first crewed missions to Mars, with a lunar landing planned for 2028. FAI stands ready to ratify the world records set by the boundary-pushing astronauts of the future.
More about NASA Artemis
Greg Principato, President of FAI, stated: “The Artemis II crew flew further into space than any humans ever had, breaking a world record that had stood for decades. Theirs was the first international crew and included the first woman to fly to the moon. Even more thrilling, as pointed out by a crew member, their records will set the stage for even greater achievements in the near future. It is FAI's privilege to ratify these world records following certification by the U.S. National Aeronautic Association, and we also look forward to marking those great achievements to follow.”
"Certifying these historic Artemis II records marks a monumental leap in space exploration," said Amy Spowart, President and CEO, National Aeronautic Association, "We deeply thank the NAA's Contest and Records Board, whose diligent work ensures these extraordinary achievements take their rightful place in aerospace history while honouring the global collaboration that made them possible."
Jonathan Perron-Clow, President, Aero Club of Canada commented, “Congratulations to Colonel Hansen and his colleagues for their far-reaching accomplishments. These records are a testament to the incredible power of collaboration: We are better when we work together to reach big goals and objectives. Now this team can definitely say that their teamwork in space and on the ground brought them further than anyone before."
FAI Record Files: Artemis II
Drawing up rules and controlling and ratifying aeronautical and astronautical World and Continental records represent an important part of FAI's activities. Since the first flights were recorded in 1906, FAI has registered more than 20,000 records to date.
Charles Lindbergh's historic flight across the Atlantic Ocean, and Yuri Gagarin's first human flight into space are amongst the great aeronautical and astronautical achievements recorded by FAI. All air sport disciplines are represented in FAI World and Continental Record archives, from human-powered flight at one extreme, to space flight at the other.
FAI Astronautic Records are defined by the parameters in the FAI Sporting Code - Section 8.
Distance to Earth
Distance to Earth - Feminine category
Altitude
Altitude - Feminine category
All FAI Astronautic Records
