Artemis II returns to Earth with a precise splashdown

Artemis II splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after a 10-day lunar mission, and four astronauts were recovered in good condition at 8:07:27 p.m. ET.

Artemis II returned to Earth with a Pacific Ocean splashdown that closed a 10-day lunar mission. The flight launched on April 1 and was the first crewed mission to the moon in more than 50 years. NASA announced the crew were recovered from the Integrity module in excellent shape. The mission served as a test for future Artemis program missions aimed at landing humans on the lunar surface. Mission details: - Splashdown occurred in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at 8:07:27 p.m. ET. - Crew members were commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency mission specialist Jeremy Hansen. - The return module named Integrity was recovered and the astronauts were reported in excellent condition. - Re-entry speed exceeded 38,000 km/h. - Reported milestones included the first crewed trip to the moon in more than 50 years, the first pictures of Earth since Apollo 17 in December 1972, a record for the farthest distance from Earth traveled by humans, and the crew becoming the first to experience the moon's far side. - Rob Navias, moderator of the NASA livestream, said the crew achieved a perfect bullseye splashdown and described the entry and touchdown as textbook. Summary: The mission's successful return provides data and experience for planned Artemis program missions that aim to put humans on the lunar surface. Undetermined at this time.