Artemis II Crew Adjusts to Gravity After Moon Voyage

NASA astronauts still acclimating to Earth's pull after historic lunar mission.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:19am

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and grays, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the forces of gravity and weightlessness experienced by astronauts during a lunar mission.The physical and psychological challenges faced by astronauts returning from the Moon highlight the complexities of long-duration space travel.Houston Today

Nearly a week after returning from NASA's Artemis II mission, the four astronauts who traveled to the Moon say they are still adjusting to the effects of Earth's gravity and have yet to fully process the significance of their historic voyage.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission marked the first crewed lunar flight since the Apollo program ended in 1972, paving the way for future long-duration space travel and establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

The details

The Artemis II crew - which included two American astronauts, one Canadian astronaut, and one Japanese astronaut - spent over a week in lunar orbit, conducting scientific experiments and preparing for the next phase of the Artemis program. Upon their return to Earth, the astronauts reported feeling the effects of gravity in unexpected ways, requiring a period of readjustment.

  • The Artemis II mission splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 11, 2026.
  • The astronauts have been back on Earth for nearly a week as of April 17, 2026.

The players

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

Artemis II

The second mission in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by the late 2020s and establish a sustainable lunar presence.

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What’s next

The Artemis II crew will continue to undergo medical evaluations and participate in debriefings as NASA prepares for the next Artemis mission, which is expected to include the first woman and person of color to walk on the lunar surface.

The takeaway

The successful Artemis II mission marks a significant milestone in the renewed effort to explore the Moon, with the astronauts' experiences providing valuable insights that will inform future long-duration space travel and lunar exploration.