The Artemis II mission concluded with a dramatic splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026. NASA's Orion spacecraft returned its four-person crew to Earth after a 10-day journey, marking humanity's first crewed trip to the moon in over 50 years.
Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen successfully tested critical systems for future lunar expeditions. The Orion capsule re-entered Earth's atmosphere at approximately 24,600 mph, enduring extreme heat that tested its advanced heat shield.
After a six-minute radio blackout, the capsule deployed its parachutes, slowing to 20 mph before a gentle ocean landing. Recovery operations were managed by the U.S. Navy. Mission control erupted in cheers as the crew safely emerged. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated this mission is just the beginning, with plans for more frequent lunar missions and a landing in 2028.