NASA has confirmed the successful splashdown of the Artemis II mission in the Pacific Ocean at 5.07pm PT, marking the end of a record-breaking 10-day lunar flyby. All four crew members emerged from the Orion capsule and were reported to be in good health.
Commander Reid Wiseman was the last to exit, telling mission control that he and his colleagues—Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—were feeling fine after breathing fresh air for the first time since their launch on 1 April. The crew became the first humans to travel to the moon and return safely since Apollo 17 in 1972.
The mission tested critical space hardware and life support systems essential for NASA's planned lunar landing in 2028 and its ambition to establish a moon base by the end of the decade. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised the astronauts as 'almost poets' and 'ambassadors for humanity'. US President Donald Trump also expressed pride in the crew, despite his proposal to cut NASA's budget by over 23%.
NASA's associate administrator Amit Kshatriya credited thousands of workers and partners for the mission's success, stating, 'The vehicle spoke for all of them.' He added, '53 years ago, humanity left the moon. This time we return to stay.' The crew was winched aboard the USS John P Murtha for medical checks, with all appearing in good spirits.
