Artemis II Crew Splashes Down After Historic Moon Mission

The Artemis II crew returns to Earth after a 10-day lunar flyby, marking the first piloted mission since the Apollo program.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:54pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, abstract painting in soft earthy tones featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and concepts of the Artemis II mission.The Artemis II mission's successful splashdown marks a significant milestone in NASA's efforts to return humans to the lunar surface, paving the way for more ambitious Artemis missions in the coming years.Cockeysville Today

NASA's historic Artemis II mission is coming to a close as the four-person crew - Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen - prepare to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego on Friday evening. The mission, which launched on April 1, tested the Orion spacecraft's systems and provided new glimpses of Earth and the Moon.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a crucial step towards NASA's goal of returning humans to the lunar surface, with future Artemis missions planned for the coming years. The successful completion of this mission demonstrates the capabilities of the Orion spacecraft and the readiness of NASA's systems for more ambitious lunar exploration.

The details

After a series of course-correcting burns, the Artemis II crew is expected to splash down at 8:07 p.m. EDT. Recovery teams will be in place to retrieve the crew, assist them onto an inflatable raft, and then transfer them by helicopter to the USS John P. Murtha. The crew will undergo medical evaluations before being transported to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

  • The Artemis II mission launched on April 1, 2026.
  • The crew is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean at 8:07 p.m. EDT on April 10, 2026.
  • The next Artemis mission won't be held until 2027, when commercial landers will be tested in low Earth orbit. The next manned missions won't be held until 2028, with Artemis IV and V.

The players

Reid Wiseman

The mission commander, who grew up in Baltimore County's Cockeysville area and graduated from Dulaney High School in 1993.

Christina Koch

A mission specialist who lived in Anne Arundel County and was a member of the Severn Sailing Association before joining the Artemis II crew.

Victor Glover

The mission pilot.

Jeremy Hansen

A mission specialist.

Artemis II

NASA's historic 10-day lunar flyby mission, the first piloted mission since the end of the Apollo program in the 1970s.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“That was an emotional moment for me.”

— Reid Wiseman, Mission Commander

What’s next

The next Artemis mission won't be held until 2027, when commercial landers will be tested in low Earth orbit. The next manned missions won't be held until 2028, with Artemis IV and V.

The takeaway

The successful completion of the Artemis II mission marks a significant milestone in NASA's efforts to return humans to the lunar surface, paving the way for more ambitious Artemis missions in the coming years.