Artemis II Astronauts Splash Down in Pacific After Record-Breaking Lunar Mission

NASA's Artemis II astronauts safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego on April 10, 2026, at 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. PDT), concluding a historic 10-day mission that marked humanity's first crewed return to the moon's vicinity in over 50 years.^[1][2][3] The Orion spacecraft, named Integrity, carried commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who traveled a record 694,481 miles—farther from Earth than any previous human mission, surpassing Apollo 13's distance.^[1][5][6] As reported by NASA's official updates and multiple outlets including Space.com and TechCrunch, the reentry proceeded flawlessly despite speeds exceeding 25,000 mph and temperatures up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, with a six-minute communication blackout due to superheated plasma.^[2][4][5]

Recovery operations began immediately after the "perfect bullseye" splashdown, as described by mission controllers.^[3] Crew members exited the capsule onto an inflatable raft, where they awaited helicopter extraction; all four were hoisted aboard by about 9:55 p.m. EDT and transported to the USS John P. Murtha for medical evaluations.^[1][2] NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, aboard the recovery ship, hailed the event as "an accomplishment for humanity," emphasizing its significance beyond NASA.^[7] The astronauts, reported in good health, were set to fly back to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on April 11, with a post-splashdown press briefing held later that evening.^[2][6]

This mission tested Orion's systems in deep space, including astronaut interactions with the spacecraft during a lunar flyby that captured unprecedented views of the moon's far side and a striking Earthrise.^[1][5][6] Launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, Artemis II built on uncrewed Artemis I by validating the spacecraft's heat shield and propulsion amid prior helium leaks—issues NASA plans to address with redesigned valves for future flights.^[4] According to Ars Technica, these leaks posed no reentry risk but highlight ongoing refinements for the program.^[4]

The success paves the way for Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the moon, advancing NASA's goal of sustainable lunar presence and preparation for Mars. Millions watched live streams on NASA TV, YouTube, and outlets like USA Today and Fox 13 Seattle, underscoring global excitement for this milestone.^[3][4][7] While the crew savored their "daring ride around the Moon," as Ars Technica put it, experts like former JPL head Laurie Leshin noted the high-stakes reentry risks that were expertly managed. This flawless return reinforces international collaboration, with Hansen representing Canada, and boosts momentum for humanity's next lunar era.^[1][3]