Artemis II Crew Returns Safely After Historic Lunar Flyby

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 03:51:00 +0200

The Artemis II mission successfully completed a record-breaking 10-day lunar flyby, sending astronauts farther into space than any humans before. The crew—NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen—experienced a hero's welcome upon returning to Earth, reuniting with family members at Ellington Field in Houston. Wiseman reflected on the emotional journey and the deep bond formed among the crew, emphasizing the significance of human connection and the joy of returning home. Glover expressed gratitude for the mission and the opportunity to witness Earth from space, while Koch highlighted the importance of teamwork and shared purpose. Hansen noted the universal human experience reflected in their journey, coining the term 'joy train' to describe moments of shared happiness and contribution. During the mission, the astronauts maintained contact with their families via brief calls, creating meaningful personal moments even f