tech
Artemis II astronauts hurtle home from moon toward splashdown
NASA’s four Artemis II astronauts return to Earth after a historic moon mission, with Orion set for Pacific splashdown shortly after 8 p.m. ET.
TL;DR
- The Artemis II capsule successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, concluding a nearly 10-day mission.
- This marked the first crewed flight to the vicinity of the moon in over 50 years.
- The mission traveled 694,392 miles and reached a peak distance of 252,756 miles from Earth, exceeding the Apollo 13 record.
- The Artemis II flight tested the Orion spacecraft for future lunar landings, planned to begin in 2028.
- Astronauts included Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, with Glover, Koch, and Hansen making historic firsts for lunar missions.
- The return journey involved a high-speed re-entry through Earth's atmosphere, testing the Orion capsule's heat shield.
- The mission's success validates the Space Launch System rocket and its contractors, Boeing and Northrop Grumman.
- The Artemis program aims to establish a long-term lunar presence as a stepping stone for Mars exploration.
- The mission occurred against a backdrop of political and social turmoil, highlighting a race with China for lunar exploration.
- Public opinion polls indicated broad support for the mission's objectives.