Artemis II: Historic Splashdown Marks New Era for Lunar Exploration

Sat Sep 05 2026 14:10:22 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

After a successful mission, the Artemis II crew prepares for a dramatic splashdown in the Pacific, concluding humanity's first voyage to the moon in over fifty years.

The Artemis II crew, composed of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, successfully approached a splashdown site in the Pacific Ocean after navigating a historic lunar mission. The flight not only surpassed Apollo 13's distance record, but it also demonstrated the capabilities of their Orion capsule, Integrity, which operated autonomously. Amid technical challenges, the mission showcased breathtaking lunar views and received praise from global leaders and celebrities.

HOUSTON (AP) — As the grand finale of their mission drew near, the astronauts of Artemis II targeted a splashdown in the Pacific on Friday, marking the end of humanity’s first trip back to the moon in over fifty years.

The anticipation in Mission Control heightened as the capsule sped towards Earth with a blazing velocity.

Attention was focused on the heat shield of the Orion capsule, which must endure extreme temperatures during reentry; previous tests revealed a charred exterior reminiscent of the moon’s surface.

The crew, consisting of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen of Canada, headed towards Earth traveling at a staggering speed of Mach 32. This speed was comparable to that seen during NASA’s Apollo missions in the previous century.

Except for emergencies, the astronauts planned to remain hands-off as the Orion capsule, named Integrity, operates independently.

Lead flight director Jeff Radigan expressed the common human apprehension expected during the communication blackout phase before the parachutes deployed. Meanwhile, the recovery ship USS John P. Murtha was on standby to welcome the returning crew.

The last instance of NASA collaborating with the Defense Department for a lunar crew's reentry was during Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II was projected to approach at an incredible speed of 23,840 mph before eventually slowing to a gentle splashdown speed.

During their flight, launched from Florida on April 1, the crew achieved a series of successes, logging historic distances and delivering breathtaking views. They became the first humans to journey 252,756 miles from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record.

Despite technical issues, including problems with the capsule’s toilet and water systems, the crew maintained a positive outlook, emphasizing the importance of facing challenges during exploration. The upcoming Artemis missions are aimed at developing sustainable operations on the moon, with Artemis III slated for 2024. Wiseman hopes that their journey inspires others to appreciate Earth, our unique and beautiful planet.