The four astronauts travelled 406,711km from Earth, eclipsing the 400,171km record set in 1970 by the crew of the Apollo 13 mission.
The asteroid, capable of destroying a city about the size of New York, is expected to strike Earth by December 2032.
Scientists listed several countries that could potentially be impacted if the asteroid lands on solid ground, including three African countries: Nigeria, Sudan and Ethiopia.
“Even though, as a Social Democrat, I am keeping my fingers crossed for the Democrats, we will have to prepare for all possible scenarios,” the minister said.
NASA had last anticipated that the launch would take place in September 2025.
Beginning over the Pacific Ocean, the eclipse would move into northern Mexico and cross the U.S. in the afternoon from Texas north-eastwards to Maine.
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