Historic Return: Artemis II Astronauts Reflect on Their Journey Around the Moon

Fri Jul 10 2026 16:44:31 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

As Artemis II approaches Earth, the astronauts share their profound experiences from lunar exploration, from distant travels to solar eclipses.

The Artemis II crew, now within 150,000 miles of Earth, reflects on their historic lunar journey, the surreal experience of being on the far side of the moon, and prepares for their reentry. They have made remarkable discoveries and shared a rare total solar eclipse, as they gear up for a potentially dangerous splashdown.

HOUSTON (AP) — As the Artemis II astronauts draw closer to Earth, they are preparing their lunar cruiser for a thrilling reentry, reflecting on the surreal experience of their historic journey around the Moon. This marks humanity's first lunar exploration in over half a century, with the crew now just under 150,000 miles from home.

Pilot Victor Glover expressed the urgency to return home with valuable data, stating, “We have to get back. There’s so much data that you’ve seen already, but all the good stuff is coming back with us. There are so many more pictures, so many more stories.” Glover also remarked on the experience of reentering Earth's atmosphere, describing it as profound.

Commander Reid Wiseman described the unique feeling of being out of contact with humanity for nearly an hour while behind the Moon. “There’s a lot that our brains have to process ... and it is a true gift,” he shared during their first news conference after launching. The crew, including Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen from Canada, set a record for being the most distant humans, at a remarkable 252,756 miles from Earth. Emerging from behind the Moon, they were fortunate to witness a total solar eclipse, a stunning spectacle that added to the adventure.

The astronauts are now focused on Friday’s reentry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. This mission sees NASA and the Defense Department collaborating for the first time on a lunar crew’s reentry since Apollo 17 in 1972. The Orion capsule is expected to hit the atmosphere at speeds of nearly 24,000 mph, a challenging feat as the recovery ship USS John P. Murtha is prepared to assist in the operation.

NASA officials are closely monitoring how the capsule's heat shield will withstand reentry after previous tests revealed unexpected damage. As the mission nears its end, officials emphasize the importance of ensuring the crew's safe return home.

Excitingly, the Artemis III mission is set to advance lunar exploration, aiming for astronauts to practice docking with a lunar lander in 2024, while Artemis IV in 2028 will set the stage for establishing a sustainable lunar base.

NASA's Lakiesha Hawkins summarized the situation succinctly: “We’re down to the wire now. Getting the crew back home and getting them landed safely is a significant part of the risk that’s still in front of us.”