NASA Artemis II astronauts prepare to end moon mission in 'fireball' re-entry
Four astronauts traveling back to Earth from the far side of the moon on NASA's Artemis II mission spoke of their emotions as they wrapped up the unprecedented flight and prepared to re-enter the atmosphere in a "fireball", during their first press conference from space on Wednesday.
The Artemis II crew, flying in their Orion capsule since launching from Florida last week, are due to splash down off the Southern California coast on Friday evening after reaching the moon earlier this week.
They cruised along a path that took them past the shadowed, lunar far side to become the farthest-flying humans in history.
Artemis II Crew Returning Home
- NASA’s Artemis II mission to fly around the far side of the Moon The Verge —
- WATCH LIVE: Artemis II crew splashes down on Earth after historic trip around the moon PBS —
- Timeline of the Artemis II moon mission’s return to Earth Scientific American —
- Artemis II astronauts prepare for their return to Earth Boston Globe —
- LIVE: NASA officials hold news conference on Artemis II moon mission ABC News —