Artemis II Astronauts Head Back to Earth After Record-Breaking Mission
Artemis II Astronauts Head Back to Earth After Record-Breaking Mission
The Artemis II mission is officially on its way home.
After launching on April 1, 2026, the four-person crew aboard the Orion spacecraft, Integrity, has completed a historic journey.
During their mission, they shattered records, traveling over 252,000 miles from Earth—the furthest humans have ever ventured.
On April 6, the crew conducted a close flyby of the Moon, witnessing a rare solar eclipse.
This mission marks the first time humans have traveled beyond low Earth orbit since 1972.
While managing minor technical challenges, including a waste management system issue, the team—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—remains in high spirits.
Their successful navigation of deep space provides crucial data for future lunar landings and the ultimate goal of Mars exploration.
As the spacecraft enters its final return phase, the world awaits their scheduled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10.
