Artemis II Crew Returns to Houston

NASA astronauts and Canadian Space Agency astronaut complete lunar flyby mission

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:37pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in earthy tones of ochre, sage, and indigo, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and concepts of the Artemis II lunar mission.The Artemis II mission's successful lunar flyby represents a major milestone in NASA's ambitious plan to establish a sustainable human presence on and around the Moon.Houston Today

The Artemis II crew - NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen - have safely returned to Houston after a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon. The crew was greeted by friends, family, and colleagues as they landed at Ellington Airport near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

Why it matters

The successful Artemis II mission marks a major milestone in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era. This lunar flyby paves the way for the Artemis III mission, which will land astronauts on the lunar surface.

The details

The Artemis II crew spent nearly 10 days in space, circling the Moon before safely returning to Earth. During the mission, the astronauts conducted scientific experiments and tested key technologies that will be used in future Artemis missions.

  • The Artemis II crew launched on April 3, 2026.
  • The crew completed their lunar flyby on April 10, 2026.
  • The crew landed at Ellington Airport near NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on April 11, 2026.

The players

Reid Wiseman

NASA astronaut who was part of the Artemis II crew.

Victor Glover

NASA astronaut who was part of the Artemis II crew.

Christina Koch

NASA astronaut who was part of the Artemis II crew.

Jeremy Hansen

Canadian Space Agency astronaut who was part of the Artemis II crew.

NASA

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

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to be back home after an incredible journey around the Moon. This mission is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Artemis team.”

— Reid Wiseman, NASA astronaut

What’s next

The Artemis III mission, which will land astronauts on the lunar surface, is currently targeted for 2024.

The takeaway

The successful Artemis II mission demonstrates NASA's continued progress towards returning humans to the Moon, paving the way for future Artemis missions that will establish a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.