'Best Camera Ever': Artemis II Crew To Rely On Eyes For Observations During Moon Mission

Last Updated:April 05, 2026, 13:01 IST

Artemis 2 astronauts will orbit the Moon, relying on trained human eyesight for detailed observations.

More than five decades after astronauts first orbited the Moon during the Apollo missions, the Artemis II crew will once again circle the lunar surface—this time relying heavily on a simple yet powerful tool: their eyes.

Despite cutting-edge imaging technology, NASA continues to value direct human observation. “The human eye is basically the best camera that could ever or will ever exist," said Kelsey Young, the mission’s lead scientist, told AFP.

“The number of receptors in the human eye far outweighs what a camera is able to do," she added. She noted that while cameras excel in certain areas, “the human eye is really good at color, and it’s really good at context, and it’s also really good at photometric observations."

Astronaut Victor Glover, who pilots the Orion spacecraft, described eyesight as a “magical instrument," capable of detecting subtle changes in lighting and surface texture that machines may miss.

To prepare, the four-member crew—including commander Reid Wiseman, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—underwent more than two years of training. This included geological fieldwork in Iceland and Canada, as well as simulated lunar flybys to sharpen observation skills. They also studied the Moon’s “Big 15" landmarks to aid navigation.

During the flyby, the Moon will appear “about the size of a basketball held at arm’s length," according to NASA scientist Noah Petro, who hopes astronauts can detect subtle surface colours. While major discoveries are unlikely, experts say real-time human descriptions of the Moon will offer a rare and compelling perspective for audiences back on Earth.

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