Artemis 2 astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft achieved a record distance of 260,754 miles (419,643 km) from the Tiangong space station on April 6, 2026. This surpassed the previous record set during the Apollo 13 mission. Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell calculated these distances, marking a significant milestone in human space exploration and the spread of civilization beyond Earth.

NASA's Artemis II crew, including Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen, returned from a lunar mission on April 7, 2026. The mission provided critical data for NASA's Human Research Program, focusing on astronaut health in deep space. A challenge with a $25,000 prize seeks innovative methodologies to analyze this unique dataset from the mission.

Victor Glover discussed his experience piloting Orion during the Artemis II mission, emphasizing the spacecraft's superior handling compared to simulations. Glover highlighted the importance of test piloting for future missions, noting that successful rendezvous and docking operations will be crucial for Artemis III and IV. He expressed confidence in the spacecraft's capabilities and the teams behind its development.

NASA’s mobile launcher arrived at the Vehicle Assembly Building on April 17, 2026, following a 4-mile journey from Launch Complex 39B. This marks the preparation phase for Artemis III stacking operations. The launcher, 380 feet tall, will support the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft with essential connections for launch, including power and communications systems.

NASA’s Artemis II crew praised the Orion capsule's performance post-mission, highlighting its smooth reentry and minor technical issues. Commander Reid Wiseman noted the capsule's readiness for Artemis III. The nine-day mission marked NASA's first crewed lunar flight since Apollo 17, with astronauts reflecting on its positive public impact during a press conference at NASA Johnson.

NASA’s mobile launcher 1 commenced its 4-mile journey from Launch Pad 39B to the Vehicle Assembly Building on April 16, 2026, in preparation for Artemis III. This transition follows the successful Artemis II mission, with teams set to perform inspections and repairs on the launcher post-mission. Operations will pause for team rest before resuming on April 17.

NASA's Artemis II mission successfully splashed down on April 10, 2026, at 5:07 p.m. PDT, marking the return of the first astronauts to the Moon in over fifty years. The Orion capsule traveled 1,117,660 km, setting a record for crewed spacecraft distance. The crew, including Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, is reported healthy post-mission.

NASA's Artemis II crew, including astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA's Jeremy Hansen, returned to Houston after their historic 10-day lunar flyby mission. The crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026, completing the first crewed flight to the Moon in over 50 years, and underwent post-mission evaluations upon arrival.

NASA mission managers hailed the Artemis 2 flight test as a success, emphasizing the Orion spacecraft's precision during reentry. They acknowledged the contributions of the international workforce involved in its development. This mission marks a significant milestone for Canada's participation in lunar exploration, showcasing collaborative efforts in advancing space technology and international partnerships.

NASA's Artemis II mission concluded on 10 April as the Orion spacecraft successfully returned its crew to Earth, marking the first human mission to the vicinity of the Moon since 1972. This milestone signifies a pivotal moment in NASA's strategy for deep space exploration and paves the way for future lunar and Martian endeavors in the Artemis program.

Artemis 2 crew successfully returned to Earth following a planned splashdown of the Orion capsule. This event marks a significant milestone for NASA in its lunar exploration program, demonstrating the capsule's capabilities and operational readiness for future missions. The mission's execution aligns with NASA's objectives for crewed lunar exploration and deep space missions. 

NASA's Orion spacecraft successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at 8:07 p.m. EDT on April 10, 2026, concluding the Artemis II mission with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen aboard. Recovery teams are now transporting the crew to USS John P. Murtha for medical evaluations before returning to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover completed a final thruster burn on Orion for 8 seconds, achieving a 4.2 feet-per-second velocity change, guiding Artemis II toward Earth. Splashdown is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. EDT off San Diego, with recovery operations by NASA's team and the Department of War personnel awaiting the crew's return.

Artemis II is nearing its Earth return after a historic 10-day mission, marking the farthest humans have traveled from Earth. This mission demonstrates critical capabilities for future lunar exploration and paves the way for subsequent Artemis missions. The successful completion of this mission is a significant milestone in NASA's lunar exploration strategy and human spaceflight program.

NASA's Artemis II crew, including Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen, prepares for splashdown on April 10, 2026. Following a lunar swing, they exited the Moon's influence on April 7. The crew is conducting re-entry procedures, including trajectory correction burns, and will splash down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego at 8:07 p.m. EDT.

NASA's Artemis II mission achieved a significant milestone on Flight Day 6, with the Orion spacecraft successfully executing a lunar flyby. This operation marks a historic distance record as the crew navigated around the far side of the Moon, demonstrating critical deep space operational capabilities essential for future lunar exploration missions and paving the way for subsequent Artemis objectives.

Orion spacecraft Integrity, with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, achieved a record-breaking lunar flyby during the Artemis II mission. This milestone demonstrates significant progress in NASA's lunar exploration efforts, paving the way for future crewed missions to the Moon and beyond, enhancing capabilities in deep space operations and crew safety.

Artemis II crew finalized spacesuit testing, secured 30 lunar observation targets, and performed the initial trajectory correction burn on Flight Day 5. The upcoming flyby will prominently feature the Orientale basin, a 600-mile-wide impact structure, marking its first visibility to human eyes. This mission represents a significant milestone in lunar exploration and crewed spaceflight capabilities.

NASA's Artemis II crew members Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen executed a 41-minute manual piloting demonstration, assessing Orion's handling capabilities in preparation for the upcoming lunar flyby. This mission aligns with NASA's evolving strategy towards establishing a phased lunar base, reflecting significant operational transitions within the broader Artemis program framework.

NASA's Artemis II crew, including Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen, will embark on a 10-day lunar mission aboard the Orion spacecraft atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. This mission will validate deep space systems and pave the way for future lunar surface exploration, including landing the first woman and person of color on the Moon.