NASA’s Orion spacecraft returned to Earth after a 10-day Artemis II mission around the Moon, completing a crewed lunar flight for the first time in more than 50 years.
The capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego at 5:07 p.m. Pacific Time with four astronauts on board.
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Historic Mission Achievement
Orion, named “Integrity” for the Artemis II mission, completed a controlled splashdown following its lunar trajectory. Reid Wiseman, Commander of the mission, Victor Glover, Pilot, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen returned in stable condition. The landing marked a key milestone in validating crew safety systems and reentry performance for future missions.
Expanding The Frontiers Of Space
Artemis II carried astronauts to a distance of approximately 252,760 miles from Earth, extending beyond previous crewed missions. The flight represents NASA’s first crewed lunar orbit mission since the Apollo program. During the mission, the crew captured images of the lunar surface and observed a solar eclipse from space. Astronauts also named a newly observed crater in tribute to Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.
Charting A Course For Future Exploration
Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator, said the mission demonstrates readiness for subsequent lunar operations. Artemis II served as a test flight for the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft under crewed conditions. Data collected during the mission will support plans for future lunar landings, development of lunar infrastructure, and extended human presence beyond low Earth orbit.
