NASA’s Artemis II nears historic return to Earth after record-breaking lunar mission

NASA’s Artemis II mission is nearing completion after astronauts travelled farther than any humans in history during a lunar flyby. The Orion spacecraft is set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean, marking a milestone in humanity’s return to deep-space exploration.

Washington: NASA has announced a major milestone in human spaceflight, on Friday, confirming that its Artemis II mission successfully launched on April 1 and is now nearing the end of its historic journey.

In a post on X, the agency stated that the spacecraft flew around the Moon and is on track to return to Earth, with splashdown expected in the Pacific Ocean at approximately 8:07 p.m. ET on April 10.

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“We can’t wait to welcome them back to our little oasis in space,” the post added.

The mission has drawn global attention as it marks humanity’s return to deep space exploration beyond low Earth orbit after more than five decades. NASA described the journey as one that has taken astronauts farther than any human has ever travelled, highlighting its importance in paving the way for future lunar exploration.

Earlier during the mission, the four-member crew — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — set a new record by travelling 248,655 miles from Earth, eventually reaching about 252,756 miles at the farthest point of their journey. This achievement surpasses the previous record set during the Apollo 13 mission, establishing a new benchmark in human space exploration.

Officials say the 10-day mission is designed to test the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft in a deep-space environment with astronauts on board. The mission included a lunar flyby, a critical step in validating systems that will support future missions aiming to return humans to the Moon.

Dr Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, said the achievement reflects the agency’s commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers.

From aboard the Orion spacecraft, Hansen noted that the milestone honours the legacy of earlier space pioneers while opening a new chapter in exploration. The Artemis II mission is seen as a crucial step toward NASA’s long-term goal of establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon.