Artemis II returns to Earth

NASA's Artemis II astronauts are preparing for a perilous atmospheric re-entry as they conclude their record-setting journey around the moon.

The Orion capsule will travel at 32 times the speed of sound, testing its heat shield against temperatures reaching 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recovery teams from the U.S. Navy are positioned off the coast of San Diego to retrieve the crew following their 685,000-mile flight.

This successful mission serves as a critical precursor to future lunar surface landings and long-term deep space exploration.