Artemis II Astronauts Splash Down in Pacific

NASA's Artemis II mission returns crew safely to Earth after historic spaceflight.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:11am

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A highly textured, abstract painting in soft earth tones featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the Artemis II spacecraft's journey to the Moon and back.The Artemis II mission's successful return to Earth marks a significant milestone in NASA's ambitious plan to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon.Oklahoma City Today

After a successful voyage to the Moon and back, the Artemis II spacecraft carrying four astronauts has splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, marking the safe return of the crew following their historic mission.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a crucial step in NASA's ambitious Artemis program to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon. This successful splashdown demonstrates the agency's ability to safely transport astronauts to lunar orbit and back, paving the way for future Artemis missions that will land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface.

The details

The Artemis II spacecraft, which launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 3, 2026, performed a series of maneuvers and lunar flyby before initiating its return to Earth. The crew capsule successfully deployed its parachutes and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, where recovery teams were on standby to retrieve the astronauts.

  • Artemis II launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 3, 2026.
  • The spacecraft performed a lunar flyby on April 8, 2026.
  • The crew capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 11, 2026.

The players

Artemis II

The second mission in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon.

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the federal agency responsible for the Artemis program and the Artemis II mission.

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What they’re saying

“This successful splashdown is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Artemis team. We're one step closer to returning astronauts to the lunar surface.”

— Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator

What’s next

NASA will now begin the process of recovering the Artemis II crew capsule and evaluating the mission data. The agency is targeting the Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon, for 2027.

The takeaway

The safe return of the Artemis II crew marks a significant milestone in NASA's Artemis program, demonstrating the agency's ability to transport astronauts to the Moon and back. This paves the way for future Artemis missions that will establish a sustained human presence on the lunar surface.