As people around the world paused to observe Easter Sunday, the Artemis II astronauts offered a message of love to the world and took a moment to honor their crewmate, a first-time flier in space — all after hearing from a NASA Apollo astronaut.

The Artemis II mission represents the first time astronauts have launched beyond low Earth orbit since 1972.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman outlined on Sunday the most critical moments he expects in the coming days as Artemis II astronauts continue their journey around the far side of the moon, describing it as a key test mission in the quest to return humans to the lunar surface.

NASA administrator Jared Isaacman says Artemis II would not be at this moment without President Trump as Orion prepares to pass the far side of the Moon.

Launched on April 1, Artemis II is the first crewed lunar mission since 1972 and the first to carry humans aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft.

NASA has launched a Q&A page for its Artemis II mission as astronauts prepare for a six-hour lunar flyby Monday.