NASA’s Artemis II moon mission splashes down

image via New Scientist

April 11, 2026, 12:08 AM

• •Artemis II mission involved a 10-day trip around the moon.
• •The crew set a record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth.
• •The mission was a test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule.
• •Astronauts endured a high-speed reentry through Earth's atmosphere.

NASA's Artemis II mission successfully concluded with the Orion capsule and its four astronauts splashing down in the Pacific Ocean after a 10-day journey around the moon. This historic mission marked the first crewed test flight of NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule, paving the way for future Artemis missions and lunar exploration. The astronauts, who set a record for the farthest distance from Earth, endured a challenging reentry before being safely recovered. The mission's achievements are expected to fuel lunar research and our understanding of the moon for years to come.

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