Artemis II Astronauts Return Home After Record-Breaking Moon Mission

The four-person crew set new distance records and captured unprecedented views of the lunar far side.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones of blue, green, and gold, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the Artemis II spacecraft's journey to the moon and back.The Artemis II mission's record-breaking journey to the moon has captivated the public and set the stage for NASA's ambitious plans to return humans to the lunar surface.San Diego Today

The four-person crew of the Artemis II mission, which traveled deeper into space than any previous moon missions, returned home to Houston on Saturday to a hero's welcome. The astronauts were greeted by hundreds of NASA employees, space industry leaders, and members of Congress after splashing down off the coast of San Diego the previous evening. During their nearly 10-day mission, the crew set new records for distance traveled from Earth and captured unprecedented views of the lunar far side.

Why it matters

The successful Artemis II mission represents a major milestone in NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the moon, paving the way for the Artemis III landing attempt next year and the Artemis IV moon touchdown in 2028. The mission's accomplishments, including new photographic perspectives of Earth and the moon, have captivated the public and reinvigorated excitement around space exploration.

The details

The Artemis II crew, consisting of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, traveled to a maximum distance of 252,756 miles (406,771 km) from Earth, exceeding the previous record set by Apollo 13. During their flyby of the moon, the astronauts captured never-before-seen views of the lunar far side and witnessed a total solar eclipse. However, the crew also had to contend with a malfunctioning space toilet, which NASA has promised to address before longer-duration Artemis missions.

  • The Artemis II crew returned to Houston on April 12, 2026, the 56th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 13.
  • The crew's nearly 10-day mission took place in early 2026.

The players

Reid Wiseman

Commander of the Artemis II mission.

Victor Glover

Pilot of the Artemis II mission.

Christina Koch

Mission Specialist on the Artemis II mission.

Jeremy Hansen

Mission Specialist on the Artemis II mission.

Jared Isaacman

NASA Administrator.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The long wait is over. After a brief 53-year intermission, the show goes on. Ladies and gentlemen, your Artemis II crew.”

— Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator

“We are bonded forever.”

— Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Commander

“I love you but not just those five beautiful cocoa skinned ladies there, but all of you.”

— Victor Glover, Artemis II Pilot

“Honestly, what struck me wasn't just Earth, it was all of the blackness around it. Earth was just this lifeboat hanging undisturbably in the universe. Planet Earth you are a crew.”

— Christina Koch, Artemis II Mission Specialist

“When you look up here, you're not looking at us. We are a mirror reflecting you. And if you like what you see then just look a little deeper This is you.”

— Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II Mission Specialist

What’s next

NASA is already preparing for next year's Artemis III mission, which will see a new crew practice docking its capsule with a lunar lander in orbit around Earth. That will set the stage for the all-important Artemis IV moon landing in 2028, when two astronauts attempt a touchdown near the lunar south pole.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission's record-breaking accomplishments and awe-inspiring imagery have reignited public enthusiasm for space exploration, setting the stage for NASA's ambitious plans to return humans to the lunar surface in the coming years.