Four astronauts safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast Friday, completing a historic 10-day mission around the moon. The Artemis II flight marks the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years and a major milestone for NASA’s deep space ambitions.
A brief communications blackout during re-entry caused concern, but mission commander Wiseman’s voice soon confirmed the crew’s well-being. The Orion crew module underwent a high-speed re-entry, successfully testing its heat shield before deploying parachutes for a Pacific landing.
The astronauts traveled further from Earth than any humans before them, unveiling lunar mysteries and witnessing a solar eclipse. Their successful flight sets the stage for a planned moon landing within two years and a potential moon base within the decade.
Following their return, the crew received a celebratory welcome at the Johnson Space Center in Houston Saturday, greeted by family and NASA personnel.