Four astronauts are returning to Earth after a groundbreaking journey to the far side of the Moon on NASA's Artemis II mission. Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen are preparing for a high-risk atmospheric re-entry, described as a "fireball" due to intense friction.
The crew will reach speeds of up to 38,365 kph as they enter Earth's atmosphere, testing the Orion capsule's heatshield. This mission is a crucial step in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon by 2028 and eventually support missions to Mars.
The Artemis II crew set a new record, becoming the farthest-flying humans in history after surpassing the Apollo 13 crew's distance record. The mission provided valuable scientific data through human observation and real-time discussions with Mission Control, offering insights into the solar system's formation.
The crew is scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego, California, on Friday evening, concluding their nearly 10-day mission.