Explore

NASA's Artemis II Mission Successfully Returns to Earth with Safe Splashdown

NASA's Artemis II Mission Successfully Returns to Earth with Safe Splashdown

The Artemis II mission, which marked the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years, successfully returned to Earth on April 10, 2026. The Orion crew capsule, named Integrity, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego at 8:07 PM EDT. The mission involved astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, who traveled around the Moon. During reentry, the capsule endured extreme temperatures and forces, with NASA engineers adjusting the trajectory to ensure the heat shield's integrity and crew safety. Recovery crews aboard the USS John P. Murtha retrieved the astronauts within two hours of splashdown, ensuring their safe return for medical evaluation.

Canadian Astronaut Jeremy Hansen and Artemis II Crew Return to Houston After Historic Mission

Canadian Astronaut Jeremy Hansen and Artemis II Crew Return to Houston After Historic Mission

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen and his fellow Artemis II crew members were warmly welcomed back in Houston after successfully completing their mission, which included a record-breaking lunar fly-around. The crew, consisting of Hansen, Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean before flying to Houston's Ellington Field. The mission marked a significant achievement, surpassing the Apollo 13 record for the farthest crewed space flight from Earth. Hansen expressed gratitude towards his family, NASA, and the Canadian Space Agency, highlighting the crew's commitment and the historic nature of their journey. The event was attended by hundreds, including Canadian Space Agency president Lisa Campbell and NASA's Johnson Space Center director Vanessa Wyche, who praised the crew's accomplishments.

NASA's Artemis II Astronauts Return Home After Record-Breaking Moon Mission

NASA's Artemis II Astronauts Return Home After Record-Breaking Moon Mission

The Artemis II astronauts have returned home after a successful mission that set a record for deep space travel. The crew, consisting of commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada's Jeremy Hansen, arrived at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center. They were greeted by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and a crowd of space center workers, military officers, members of Congress, and retired astronauts. During their nearly 10-day mission, the astronauts traveled deeper into space than previous moon explorers and captured views of the lunar far side. The mission also included a total solar eclipse and set a new distance record, reaching 252,756 miles from Earth. The astronauts faced challenges, including a malfunctioning space toilet, which NASA plans to fix before future missions.

NASA's Artemis II Crew Returns Safely After Record Lunar Mission

NASA's Artemis II Crew Returns Safely After Record Lunar Mission

NASA's Artemis II crew, consisting of astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, successfully returned to Earth on April 10, 2026. The crew completed a historic 10-day mission that took them farther into space than any humans have ever gone before. The mission included a flyby of the Moon's far side, setting a record for the farthest crewed spaceflight. The Artemis II mission launched from Kennedy Space Center using NASA's Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft, powered by ESA's European Service Module. The crew orbited Earth several times before embarking on a four-day journey to the Moon, reaching a closest approach of approximately 4,670 statute miles above the lunar surface. They captured unprecedented images of the Moon's far side and conducted scientific investigations. The mission concluded with a precise splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego.

Artemis II astronauts return from moon with a splashdown to close out a record-breaking lunar voyage

Artemis II astronauts return from moon with a splashdown to close out a record-breaking lunar voyage

The Artemis II astronauts are back on Earth

NASA's Artemis II Mission Achieves Historic Lunar Return with Successful Pacific Splashdown

NASA's Artemis II Mission Achieves Historic Lunar Return with Successful Pacific Splashdown

NASA's Artemis II mission has successfully concluded with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, marking the first human journey to the moon in over 50 years. The mission, which included astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, set new records for the farthest distance traveled from Earth. The Orion capsule, named Integrity, re-entered Earth's atmosphere at Mach 33, a speed not seen since the Apollo missions. The mission unveiled new lunar landscapes and treated the crew to a solar eclipse. The astronauts were safely recovered by the USS John P Murtha after their capsule splashed down off the coast of California.

NASA's Artemis II Mission Successfully Completes Crewed Lunar Orbit Test

NASA's Artemis II Mission Successfully Completes Crewed Lunar Orbit Test

NASA's Artemis II mission has successfully concluded a nine-day crewed flight test of the Orion spacecraft, marking the first human journey beyond Earth's orbit in over 50 years. The mission, which launched on April 1, 2026, involved astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen. The crew conducted a series of tests on the spacecraft's systems, including life support, propulsion, and re-entry capabilities. The mission also set a new distance record for human spaceflight, traveling as far as 252,756 miles from Earth. The Orion capsule, named Integrity, re-entered Earth's atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean southeast of San Diego on April 10, 2026. This mission is part of NASA's broader Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon by the end of the decade.

Artemis II's grand moon finale is almost here with a Pacific splashdown to cap NASA's lunar comeback

Artemis II's grand moon finale is almost here with a Pacific splashdown to cap NASA's lunar comeback

The Artemis II astronauts are on track for a splashdown in the Pacific to close out humanity's first voyage to the moon in more than half a century

Artemis II Crew Prepares for Return to Earth After Historic Mission

Artemis II Crew Prepares for Return to Earth After Historic Mission

The Artemis II crew is preparing to return to Earth after a successful lunar flyby. The mission, which included NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, is set to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026. The crew has been conducting final preparations, including reviewing re-entry procedures and securing equipment. The mission marks the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years and has set records for distance traveled from Earth. The crew's return will be closely monitored by NASA and military teams to ensure a safe recovery.

Artemis II Crew Prepares for High-Risk Re-Entry After Moon Flyby

Artemis II Crew Prepares for High-Risk Re-Entry After Moon Flyby

The Artemis II mission, a pivotal part of NASA's efforts to return humans to the Moon, is nearing its conclusion as the crew prepares for re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. The mission involved a successful flyby of the Moon, testing critical systems for future lunar missions. The four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—are set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean. The re-entry phase is considered the most dangerous part of the mission, with the Orion capsule expected to endure extreme temperatures and G-forces. NASA has adjusted the re-entry trajectory to minimize heat stress on the spacecraft.

RPI Graduate Reid Wiseman Returns to Earth After Historic Artemis II Mission

RPI Graduate Reid Wiseman Returns to Earth After Historic Artemis II Mission

Reid Wiseman, an RPI graduate and NASA astronaut, is returning to Earth as part of the Artemis II mission. This mission marks the first crewed lunar journey in over 50 years, launching from Cape Canaveral on April 1. The crew, including Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, completed a lunar flyby and set a new distance record from Earth. The Orion capsule, nicknamed Integrity, will endure high temperatures during reentry, protected by a heat shield, and is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego. The event will be broadcast live, with coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

NASA's Artemis II Mission Marks Historic Lunar Flyby

NASA's Artemis II Mission Marks Historic Lunar Flyby

NASA successfully launched the Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years. The mission, which launched from the Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026, involves a ten-day spaceflight with a crew of four astronauts, including NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The mission aims to test key systems for future deep space missions, building on the success of the uncrewed Artemis I mission. The crew completed a lunar flyby on April 6, capturing views of the moon's far side. The mission is set to break records for distance traveled from Earth and reentry speed.