Artemis II astronauts hurtle home from moon toward splashdown
Summary
The Artemis II astronauts are returning safely to Earth from the first crewed moon mission in over 50 years, preparing for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off Southern California.
Key Points
- Artemis II astronauts are returning to Earth aboard the Orion spacecraft after a 10-day mission around the moon.
- The mission marks the first crewed lunar voyage since the Apollo missions in the 1960s and 70s.
- The Orion spacecraft's heat shield is undergoing a critical re-entry test after adjustments following the 2022 uncrewed flight.
- The splashdown is targeted for the Pacific Ocean off Southern California, with recovery operations planned shortly after splashdown.
