Key moments during Artemis astronauts' lunar flyby on Monday

Mission control has sent the Artemis II crew the final list of lunar surface features the science team has assigned for observation and photography during the lunar flyby on Monday. Ahead of the flyby, the crew will work through final preparations and hold a conference with mission controllers to finalize lunar targets and techniques.

Orientale basin

The 30 targets include the Orientale basin, a nearly 600-mile-wide crater that straddles the Moon’s near and far sides. Orientale will be fully illuminated and visible as Orion approaches the Moon. This 3.8-billion-year-old crater formed when a large object struck the lunar surface and retains clear evidence of that collision, including dramatic topography in its rings. The crew will study Orientale’s features up close and from multiple angles as they pass by.

Hertzsprung basin

Hertzsprung basin is also on the crew’s list of targets. Northwest of Orientale is a nearly 400-mile crater on the Moon’s far side. An older ringed basin, Hertzsprung, contrasts with Orientale because its features have been degraded by subsequent impacts. The crew will compare the topography of the two craters to gain insight into how features evolve over geologic timescales.

NASA officials said during a press conference on Sunday that the Apollo 12 and 14 landing sites will be visible to the Artemis crew during the flyby, but provided no further details.

Timeline of Events (All times are Eastern and may change based on real-time operations):

April 6, 2026

12:40 a.m. Orion enters the lunar sphere of influence at 41,072 miles from the Moon

1:30 p.m. The science officer in mission control will brief the crew on their science goals for the upcoming flyby. 

1:56 p.m. Crew passes the distance from Earth record set by Apollo 13 in 1970

2:45 p.m. Lunar flyby and observation period begin

4:55 p.m. Cabin and Window Teams Swap for observations

5:10 p.m. Glushko Crater observations

5:18 p.m. Orientsale Basin observations

5:34 p.m. Hertzsprung Basin observations

5:41 p.m. Window Team Position Swap for observations

5:42 p.m. Crew Choice #2 for observations

5:50 p.m. Discussion #4: Terminator

6:05 p.m. Cabin and Window Teams Swap for observations

6:44 p.m. Mission control expects to temporarily lose communication with the crew as the Orion spacecraft passes behind the Moon.

6:45 p.m. During “Earthset,” Earth will glide behind the Moon from Orion’s perspective.

7:02 p.m. Orion closest approach to the Moon (4,070 miles)

7:07 p.m. Orion reaches maximum distance from Earth (252,760 miles)

7:25 p.m. “Earthrise” marks Earth coming back into view on the opposite edge of the Moon.

7:25 p.m. NASA’s Mission Control Center should re-acquire communication with the astronauts.  

8:35-9:32 p.m. During a solar eclipse, the Sun will pass behind the Moon from the crew’s perspective.

9:20 p.m. Lunar observation period concludes

April 7, 2026

1:25 p.m. Orion exits the lunar sphere of influence at 41,072 miles from the Moon.

Japan conglomerate completes acquisition of US aerospace parts supplier

Japanese trading conglomerate Marubeni Corp announced on Friday that it has completed the acquisition of 100% of DASI, LLC, a U.S.–based provider of commercial‑aviation inventory solutions. The deal marks a key step in Marubeni’s long‑term plan to expand its presence in the aircraft‑parts aftermarket and to deepen its digital capabilities in the sector.

“This acquisition represents an important step forward in our aviation aftermarket strategy,” said Toru Okazaki, executive officer of Marubeni Corp and chief operating officer of Marubeni’s Aerospace & Mobility Division. “By bringing DASI fully into the Marubeni group, we are strengthening our ability to deliver comprehensive, high value inventory solutions and provide our customers with a seamless, one stop experience across the aviation supply chain.”

Spare‑parts Inventories for Airlines

Founded in 1993, DASI has built a reputation as an end‑to‑end platform for sourcing, acquiring and selling spare‑parts inventories for airlines, maintenance‑repair‑overhaul firms (MROs) and original‑equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company’s services help customers unlock capital tied up in surplus material, improve inventory efficiency and reduce operating costs. Over the past five years, DASI has also invested heavily in e‑commerce tools and an online marketplace that connects OEMs and distributors with a global buyer base.

“We are extremely proud of what DASI has accomplished and grateful for the support and partnership of Marubeni during a transformative period for the company,” said John Dziuba, Founder and co-CEO of DASI, LLC. “With Marubeni now as our sole shareholder, we are uniquely positioned to scale faster, invest further in our platform, and continue delivering innovative cost-effective inventory solutions to customers around the world.”

DASI’s Digital Infrastructure

Marubeni, whose roots date back to 1858 and operations span commodities, infrastructure and logistics, said the transaction will allow DASI to accelerate growth by leveraging the Japanese group’s capital, extensive distribution network and broader service portfolio.

Marubeni plans to invest further in DASI’s digital infrastructure, including the continued development of its online marketplace, expanded offerings of factory‑new spare parts and growth of surplus‑inventory channels. The integration is expected to generate cross‑selling opportunities and provide DASI’s customers with access to Marubeni’s worldwide network of airlines, OEMs and suppliers.

Trilateral GCAP program secures $905 million contract for next-gen fighter development

The first joint international contract has been awarded for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) - an international collaboration between Italy, Japan and the U.K. to deliver a next-generation combat aircraft.

The GCAP Agency, which manages GCAP on behalf of the three nations, signed a contract with Edgewing - the tri-national industrial joint venture set up to lead the design and development of the program.

The $905 million contract invests in key design and engineering activities, enabling the trilateral partnership to build momentum and accelerate delivery.

Masami Oka, GCAP Agency chief executive, said: “This contract is an important moment for GCAP, as activities previously conducted under three nations’ contracts will now be carried out as part of a fully-fledged international program.”

Marco Zoff, chief executive officer Edgewing, said: “The pace at which Edgewing and the GCAP Agency have ramped up, and are now operating, has been made possible through our shared purpose and strength of collaboration. We are proud to carry this momentum forward.”

GCAP, launched in 2022, will deliver an innovative next-generation stealth fighter equipped with cutting-edge technologies, supporting sovereign industries across partner nations in meeting global threats.