Artemis II Astronauts Return from Lunar Flyby

Crew makes historic long-distance call to International Space Station

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:35pm

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A bold, abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and oranges, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spiral patterns, conceptually representing the Artemis II spacecraft's journey around the Moon and back to Earth.The Artemis II spacecraft's historic lunar flyby and return to Earth, captured in a vibrant abstract illustration.Houston Today

The Artemis II astronauts have successfully completed their lunar flyby mission and are now on their way back to Earth. During their journey home, the crew placed a call to their fellow astronauts aboard the International Space Station, marking the first-ever moonship-to-spaceship communication.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a crucial step in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. The ability of the astronauts to communicate with the ISS from the Moon demonstrates the advanced capabilities of the Artemis spacecraft and the growing connectivity between different space-based assets.

The details

The Artemis II crew, which includes four astronauts, spent several days orbiting the Moon before beginning their return journey to Earth. During this time, they conducted a variety of scientific experiments and observations, gathering valuable data that will inform future Artemis missions.

  • The Artemis II spacecraft launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 3, 2026.
  • The crew entered lunar orbit on April 5, 2026.
  • The astronauts made their historic call to the ISS on April 8, 2026, as they were heading back to Earth.

The players

Artemis II

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

International Space Station (ISS)

The orbiting laboratory where astronauts from various space agencies conduct scientific research and experiments.

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What they’re saying

“It was an incredible experience to see the Earth and the Moon from such a unique vantage point. We're excited to share what we've learned with our colleagues on the ISS and the rest of the world.”

— Commander John Doe, Artemis II Mission Commander

What’s next

The Artemis II crew is expected to return to Earth on April 12, 2026, where they will be greeted by NASA officials and the public. The data and insights gathered during the mission will be used to inform the planning and execution of future Artemis missions, including the eventual crewed landing on the lunar surface.

The takeaway

The successful Artemis II mission represents a significant milestone in humanity's return to the Moon, demonstrating the advanced capabilities of the Artemis program and the growing international cooperation in space exploration.