Artemis II Astronauts Return After Record-Breaking Lunar Flyby

They are back!

The crew of Artemis II returned to Earth after a 10-day mission that pushed the boundaries of human space travel.

According to The BBC, the astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at 00:07 GMT, with commander Reid Wiseman confirming the team arrived safely and in good condition.

Officials from NASA said the four-member crew remained “happy and healthy” after completing the mission, which included a journey around the Moon and a successful re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

The return featured a brief communications blackout lasting about six minutes, a routine but critical phase of atmospheric re-entry.

At the peak of the mission on April 6, the spacecraft travelled 406,771 kilometres from Earth, setting a new record for the farthest distance humans have reached in space.

NASA described the mission as a major step forward in its long-term plans for lunar exploration and future deep-space missions.

The Artemis programme, however, continues to attract attention over its rising costs. Earlier projections placed spending at $93 billion between 2012 and 2025, but more recent reports suggest higher figures.

It’s been all smiles for the astronauts as they fall back to debriefing and a long rest after been so long away from humans.

Despite this, the agency said the programme supports thousands of jobs and contributes significantly to the U.S. economy, while also positioning the country in an increasingly competitive global space race.