Artemis II crew returns home

NASA's Artemis II mission concluded with a 'picture perfect' splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, bringing astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen safely back to Earth.

The crew traveled farther from Earth than any humans in history, testing critical systems intended for future lunar landings and eventual Mars exploration.

Upon reentry, the spacecraft endured extreme atmospheric friction, reaching speeds of nearly 24,000 mph and temperatures of 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

This successful test flight establishes the momentum needed for the Artemis III mission, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface within the decade.