NASA Holds Press Conference After Historic Artemis II Moon Mission

Artemis II spacecraft splashes down off California coast after 10-day lunar voyage.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:27am

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An abstract, highly structured painting in soft, earthy tones featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex systems and forces involved in the Artemis II lunar mission.NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight around the Moon since the Apollo era, marks a critical step forward in the agency's ambitious plans for long-term lunar exploration.Today in Orlando

NASA held a press conference following the successful splashdown of the Artemis II spacecraft off the coast of California. The 10-day mission marked the first crewed flight around the Moon since the Apollo program, paving the way for future Artemis missions that aim to establish a long-term human presence on the lunar surface.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a critical milestone in NASA's ambitious Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. The successful completion of this uncrewed test flight clears the way for the first crewed Artemis mission, scheduled for 2024, and lays the groundwork for more advanced lunar exploration and potential lunar base construction in the coming years.

The details

The Artemis II spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on April 11, 2026, concluding a 10-day mission that saw the crew module orbit the Moon and return safely to Earth. The mission tested key systems and procedures for future crewed Artemis flights, including the spacecraft's life support systems, navigation, and communication capabilities.

  • Artemis II launched on April 3, 2026.
  • The spacecraft performed a lunar flyby on April 6.
  • Artemis II splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 11, 2026.

The players

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

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What they’re saying

“This successful Artemis II mission is a major step forward in our plans to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon and prepare for future deep space exploration.”

— Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator

What’s next

NASA will now focus on preparing for the Artemis III mission, which is scheduled to land astronauts on the lunar surface in 2024.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission represents a significant milestone in NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the Moon, paving the way for more advanced lunar exploration and potential lunar base construction in the coming years.