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.

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.

Artemis 2's Orion capsule, named

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.

Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman defended the mission's space toilet, stating it functioned well despite some clogging issues. The toilet, a compact version from the International Space Station, faced vent line blockages during the mission. Wiseman praised the engineering team, emphasizing the toilet's advancements over previous lunar missions, where astronauts relied on handheld bags for waste disposal.

Rebekah Tolatovicz, a mechanical technician lead for Lockheed Martin, plays a crucial role in building and testing the Orion spacecraft at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Her work supports the Artemis program, including the recent Artemis II mission. Tolatovicz emphasizes the importance of every task, mentoring newcomers and contributing to NASA's historic lunar exploration efforts.

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 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.

NASA mission managers confirmed the Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft's thermal protection system is ready for reentry, ensuring safe splashdown for the four-person crew. They detailed the reentry sequence and addressed propulsion issues, emphasizing confidence in the spacecraft's performance. This briefing precedes the critical final phase of the mission, highlighting operational readiness for Earth return.

NASA's Orion spacecraft completed its second return correction burn, igniting thrusters for 9 seconds, achieving a velocity change of 5.3 feet-per-second. Victor Glover and crew captured data during their lunar flyby, coming within 4,067 miles of the Moon. The next trajectory burn is scheduled for April 10, targeting splashdown at 8:07 p.m. off San Diego.

Artemis 2 crew on Orion spacecraft prepared for Friday's Pacific Ocean splashdown, marking Flight Day 8. The team shifted focus from lunar operations to final preparations, including packing up equipment and unveiling the Apollo 18 flag. This mission continues to demonstrate NASA's commitment to deep space exploration and crewed lunar missions, enhancing operational readiness for future endeavors.

Artemis II crew members Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen conducted key tests aboard the Orion spacecraft, including orthostatic intolerance garment evaluations and manual piloting demonstrations. Following their lunar flyby, they are preparing for splashdown on April 10, 2026, off the coast of San Diego, ensuring all systems are ready for re-entry.

NASA's Orion spacecraft, named Integrity, successfully completed its first return correction burn on Flight Day 7, igniting thrusters for 15 seconds at 8:03 p.m. EDT, achieving a velocity change of 1.6 feet-per-second. Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen monitored the spacecraft's systems, while the crew prepares for upcoming flight test objectives and return tasks on April 8.

NASA's Artemis II crew, including astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, began their return journey after a lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. They will exit the Moon's gravity at 1:23 p.m. EDT, followed by a call with ISS astronauts at 2:40 p.m. and a trajectory correction burn at 9:03 p.m.

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.

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.