Science Technology US & Canada

Artemis II crew returns to Earth

Artemis II crew returns to Earth

The Artemis II mission concluded on Friday with a precise splashdown off the coast of San Diego, bringing astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen safely home.

During their 10-day journey, the crew traveled further from Earth than any previous human spaceflight, testing the Orion spacecraft's critical systems.

NASA officials have hailed the mission as a 'fantastic feat' that provides essential data for the upcoming Artemis III landing attempt.

The successful return revitalizes global interest in lunar exploration as the United States and China compete for a permanent presence on the Moon.

Reid Wiseman Josh Valcarcel, Public domain
Reid Wiseman
American astronaut
Artemis II
NASA's first crewed mission aboard the Orion spacecraft using the Space Launch System
Pacific Islands
Geographic region consisting of the islands of the Pacific Ocean
Victor J. Glover
American astronaut
Christina Koch
American astronaut