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Learning English from the News

Upper intermediate level

Artemis II takes humans further from Earth than ever before

Episode 260408 / 08 Apr 2026

(Photo by Nasa via Getty Images)

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The story

Astronauts on the Nasa spacecraft Artemis II are on their way back to Earth after travelling around the Moon.

The spacecraft broke the record for the furthest distance humans have travelled into space, reaching 406,771km away from the Earth.

While the crew did not land on the Moon, this is the first time humans have travelled to the Moon since 1972.

News headlines 

Why Artemis II’s record-breaking journey marks a new dawn in spaceflight
The Telegraph

The 40 minutes when the Artemis crew loses contact with the Earth 
BBC News

5 reasons why the Artemis II mission is a big deal
phys.org

Key words and phrases

a new dawn
the beginning of a period of time, often showing progress or change

  • When the musician performed for the first time, it was a new dawn for pop music.

lose contact with
be unable to communicate with, or no longer speak to someone you used to speak to often

  • I’ve lost contact with my cousins. I’m not sure where they live anymore.

a big deal
important or significant

  • My choir sang at a big concert hall – it was a really big deal!

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