Artemis II Crew Returns To Houston

NASA astronauts and Canadian Space Agency astronaut complete Moon mission

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:50am

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A bold, abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and grays, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and concepts of space exploration.The successful Artemis II mission marks a major milestone in NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the lunar surface, paving the way for future Artemis flights.Houston Today

The Artemis II crew, consisting of 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 and back to Earth. The astronauts landed at Ellington Airport near NASA's Johnson Space Center and shared brief remarks with the crowd of friends, family, and colleagues who welcomed them home.

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 crewed lunar flyby paves the way for future Artemis missions that will land astronauts on the lunar surface, advancing space exploration and scientific discovery.

The details

The Artemis II crew spent nearly 10 days in space, circling the Moon before safely returning to Earth and landing at Ellington Airport near NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. During their journey, the astronauts conducted a series of scientific experiments and observations to further our understanding of the lunar environment and the effects of deep space travel on the human body.

  • The Artemis II crew launched on April 3, 2026.
  • The crew spent nearly 10 days in space, including time orbiting the Moon.
  • 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 civil space program, aeronautics, and space research.

Canadian Space Agency

The Canadian government's agency responsible for space exploration and the development of space technology.

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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, and we're honored to have been a part of it.”

— Reid Wiseman, NASA astronaut

What’s next

The Artemis II crew will undergo a series of medical evaluations and debriefings to assess their health and the mission's findings. NASA will use the data and insights from this mission to inform the planning and execution of future Artemis missions, including the Artemis III mission that aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface.

The takeaway

The successful Artemis II mission represents a significant step forward in humanity's return to the Moon, paving the way for future crewed lunar exploration and scientific discoveries. The safe return of the astronauts to Houston is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Artemis team, and it has generated renewed excitement and optimism for the future of space exploration.