NASA’s Artemis II crew returns to Earth

image via New Scientist

April 10, 2026, 3:45 PM

• •Artemis II mission lasted 10 days, orbiting the moon.
• •The Orion spacecraft endured extreme heat during reentry.
• •Astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.
• •The crew experienced a communication blackout during reentry.
• •Weather conditions at splashdown were optimal.

The Artemis II mission concluded successfully as the four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after a 10-day journey around the moon. The crew, including Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen, faced extreme temperatures and a period of communication blackout during reentry. After a perfect descent, the astronauts were recovered and transported to a Navy ship before expected travel to Houston. This mission marks a significant step in NASA's Artemis program, paving the way for future lunar exploration.

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