NASA's Artemis II Crew Returns Safely from Lunar Mission, Prepares for Future Flights

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:27:00 +0200

NASA's Artemis II mission successfully returned four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—after a nine-day journey around the moon. The Orion spacecraft endured extreme re-entry conditions, including temperatures up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit and speeds exceeding 30 times the speed of sound, protected by its heat shield and aided by parachutes for a safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego. The mission logged over 700,000 statute miles and provided critical data for future Artemis missions. The crew conducted geological observations and took thousands of photographs to advance lunar science. The mission also tested key spacecraft systems, including life support, maneuverability, and even the onboard toilet, ensuring readiness for future lunar landings. NASA is already preparing Artemis III, which will involve testing spacecraft designed to land humans on the moon, and Artemis IV may eventually return humans to the luna