Artemis II Astronauts Return to Earth, Historic Lunar Orbit Mission Concludes Successfully [Video]
The Artemis II astronauts, including mission commander Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen, have successfully returned to Earth, reporting their condition as "stable" and "all normal." Despite a brief communication blackout during the high-risk re-entry, the mission concluded flawlessly, with the spacecraft's heat shield passing a critical test. NASA hailed the return as a "textbook entry and a textbook landing," marking the successful completion of the historic lunar orbit mission.
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- 📰 Published: April 11, 2026 at 10:31
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Agence France-Presse reported that mission commander Reid Wiseman reported that the crew—he himself, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen—were in "stable" condition and "all normal."
NASA Public Affairs Officer Rob Navias explained the astronauts' return process during a NASA live broadcast. He said, "This means they are in very good condition."
During their high-risk re-entry into the atmosphere, there was a brief, tense communication blackout, but then mission commander Wiseman's voice reappeared, bringing a sigh of relief and confirming that the astronauts were safely on their way home.
After a voice check from mission control, he said, "Houston. We read you loud and clear."
NASA and the U.S. military will now assist the astronauts in exiting the bobbing capsule, after which they will fly to a recovery ship off the Pacific coast near San Diego.
As the astronauts returned to Earth, the spacecraft reached speeds of over 30 times the speed of sound and endured scorching temperatures nearly half that of the sun's surface. This was a critical test for its heat shield, which had experienced issues in previous test missions.
However, the Artemis II re-entry proceeded smoothly without any hitches.
Navias said, "This was a textbook entry, and a textbook landing." (Compiled by Chang Hsiao-wen) 1150411
NASA Public Affairs Officer Rob Navias explained the astronauts' return process during a NASA live broadcast. He said, "This means they are in very good condition."
During their high-risk re-entry into the atmosphere, there was a brief, tense communication blackout, but then mission commander Wiseman's voice reappeared, bringing a sigh of relief and confirming that the astronauts were safely on their way home.
After a voice check from mission control, he said, "Houston. We read you loud and clear."
NASA and the U.S. military will now assist the astronauts in exiting the bobbing capsule, after which they will fly to a recovery ship off the Pacific coast near San Diego.
As the astronauts returned to Earth, the spacecraft reached speeds of over 30 times the speed of sound and endured scorching temperatures nearly half that of the sun's surface. This was a critical test for its heat shield, which had experienced issues in previous test missions.
However, the Artemis II re-entry proceeded smoothly without any hitches.
Navias said, "This was a textbook entry, and a textbook landing." (Compiled by Chang Hsiao-wen) 1150411
FAQ
What are the main achievements of the Artemis II mission?
The main achievements are the safe return of the astronauts to Earth, the successful completion of the historic lunar orbit mission, and the critical test passed by the spacecraft's heat shield.
Who are the astronauts of Artemis II?
The astronauts are mission commander Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen.