Astronauts participating in the groundbreaking Artemis II mission are set to reach the moon’s far side on Monday, marking a new frontier in human space exploration.

Nasa has expressed satisfaction with the mission’s progress since the crew’s launch on Wednesday, as the team—comprising three Americans and one Canadian—prepares to set a new record for the greatest distance traveled from Earth, coinciding with an impending total solar eclipse.

Following the activation of a crucial thruster that propelled Artemis out of Earth’s orbit, pilot Victor Glover remarked, “The Earth is quite small, and the moon is definitely getting bigger.”

This mission represents the first crewed journey to the moon in over fifty years, resuming the legacy of the Apollo program that concluded in 1972.

Despite the mission’s success in collecting valuable data and images, the crew has encountered ongoing issues with a vital component of the Orion capsule: the toilet system. Until repairs are made, mission control has advised the astronauts to rely on backup urine collection bags since the toilet malfunctioned shortly after launch and has been only intermittently operational.

Engineers believe that ice may be obstructing the system, preventing complete flushing. However, the toilet remains functional for solid waste disposal.

A similar version of this toilet had been previously tested aboard the International Space Station but has demonstrated reliability issues. Debbie Korth, Nasa’s Orion program deputy manager, mentioned that the astronauts have also noted an unpleasant odor emanating from the restroom area, which is designed for privacy with a door and curtain. “Space toilets and bathrooms are something everybody can really understand… it’s always a challenge,” she commented, recalling frequent issues with space shuttle toilets as well.

John Honeycutt, head of the mission management team, expressed his desire for the facilities to function properly for the crew’s comfort but confirmed that the astronauts are managing the situation effectively. “They’re OK,” he stated. “They trained to manage through the situation.”

On Sunday, the astronauts awoke to the uplifting sounds of Chappell Roan’s inclusive anthem, “Pink Pony Club,” and enjoyed a breakfast of scrambled eggs and coffee.

Commander Reid Wiseman shared with mission control in Houston that the crew’s morale is high, especially after a heartfelt conversation with his daughters from space. “We’re up here, we’re so far away, and for a moment, I was reunited with my little family,” he expressed during a live press conference, calling it “the greatest moment of my entire life.”

Nasa released an image captured by the Artemis crew showcasing the Orientale Basin, often referred to as the moon’s “Grand Canyon.” During a live Q&A session with Canadian children, astronaut Christina Koch expressed their excitement about seeing the crater, which resembles a bullseye. “It’s very distinctive and no human eyes previously had seen this crater until today, really, when we were privileged enough to see it,” she stated.

The astronauts have undergone geology training to effectively document and photograph lunar features, including ancient lava flows and impact craters, and they have memorized the moon’s “big 15” features for orientation.

Previously, Nasa had shared images from Orion that depicted a full view of Earth with its vibrant oceans and cloud formations.

The next major milestone is anticipated to occur overnight from Sunday to Monday, when the spacecraft will enter the “lunar sphere of influence,” at which point the moon’s gravitational pull will take precedence over that of Earth.

If all proceeds as planned, the Orion spacecraft will circle the moon, enabling the astronauts—Glover, Koch, Wiseman, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen—to reach a distance from Earth unprecedented in human history.

While Apollo missions in the 1960s and 70s operated approximately 70 miles above the lunar surface, the Artemis crew will approach within over 4,000 miles, providing a comprehensive view of the entire moon, including areas near both poles.

During the six-hour flyby, the crew will utilize their naked eyes and onboard cameras to observe the moon, promising views of its far side that were previously unseen by the 24 Apollo astronauts who came before them.

Notably, the Apollo 13 mission had to forgo a moon landing due to an oxygen tank failure en route in 1970.

The Artemis II mission is part of a broader initiative aiming for continual lunar exploration, with the ultimate goal of establishing a permanent base on the moon to facilitate further investigation. Nasa has set a target for a crewed landing near the lunar south pole by 2028.

Contributions to this report were made by the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.