Artemis II Astronauts Prepare for Historic Splashdown After Record Lunar Mission

Fri Jul 10 2026 17:00:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Artemis II mission, marking humanity's return to lunar exploration, is set for a dramatic splashdown in the Pacific. Commander Reid Wiseman and his crew reflect on their historic journey and the technical challenges they faced.

With their historic mission concluding, the Artemis II astronauts, including Commander Reid Wiseman and Pilot Victor Glover, approach a splashdown in the Pacific after breaking a distance record set by Apollo 13. The spacecraft, Orion, handled the challenges of reentry, and the crew cherishes the moments of lunar exploration and Earth’s beauty witnessed during their journey.

HOUSTON (AP) — As the conclusion of their groundbreaking mission draws near, astronauts of Artemis II geared up for a splashdown in the Pacific on Friday, marking humanity's first journey back to the moon in over fifty years.

The atmosphere at Mission Control grew tense as the last miles dwindled between the four astronauts and Earth.

Attention was focused on Orion's heat shield, which must endure extreme temperatures during reentry. Previous tests in 2022 showed the shield returned charred and pockmarked, reminiscent of the moon's surface.

Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen were on track to hit the atmosphere at Mach 32 — a speed not witnessed since the Apollo missions.

The crew relied on the fully automated Orion capsule, with hopes of avoiding manual control except in emergencies. Lead flight director Jeff Radigan anticipated moments of “irrational fear,” especially during the communication blackout just before parachute deployment, as the USS John P. Murtha awaited their arrival alongside military aircraft.

This pivotal splashdown was reminiscent of the last collaboration between NASA and the Defense Department during Apollo 17 in 1972, as they returned at a staggering 23,840 mph before slowing down to a graceful 19 mph splash.

Record-Breaking Flyby and Lunar Views

Launched from Florida on April 1, Artemis II marked a mission of numerous successes, including breaking the Apollo 13 distance record, with the crew reaching 252,756 miles from Earth. They asked to name lunar craters after their spacecraft and Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll, in an emotional tribute.

During the mission, they documented unprecedented views of the lunar far side and enjoyed an awe-inspiring total solar eclipse, echoing the vivid experiences of lunar explorers in the past.

Despite experiencing technical hiccups, such as drinking water and toilet issues, the crew remained resilient, stating that “sacrifices” and “risks” are all worthwhile for deeper exploration.

Under NASA's revamped Artemis program, future missions like Artemis III and Artemis IV aim to build upon this program, with plans for docking tests and lunar landings around the moon's south pole.

As they wrap up their groundbreaking journey, Wiseman expressed a hope for global reflection on Earth’s beauty and the significance of our shared home in the universe.