NASA's Artemis II Crew Prepares for Return to Earth After Moon Flyby
The Artemis II mission, involving NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, is preparing for its return to Earth after a historic moon flyby. On the eighth day of their 10-day mission, the crew focused on testing and preparation for reentry. Activities included manual flying of the Orion capsule, daily exercise routines, and testing garments designed to maintain bodily systems like circulation and blood pressure. A planned radiation-shielding test was canceled to prioritize reentry preparations. The spacecraft is currently closer to the moon than Earth, but the focus remains on the return journey. The Orion capsule is scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego, with the USS John P. Murtha ready to assist the astronauts upon arrival.