Four astronauts are back home after a daring ride around the Moon
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Four astronauts returned to Earth in NASA's Orion spacecraft after humanity's first Moon voyage in 54 years.
AI Summary
NASA’s Orion spacecraft, named Integrity, returned to Earth on Friday, bringing home four astronauts after humanity's first voyage to the Moon in nearly 54 years. The spacecraft slammed into the atmosphere at over 30 times the speed of sound, with external temperatures reaching 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It splashed down in the Pacific Ocean southwest of San Diego at 8:07 pm EDT Friday (00:07 UTC Saturday). Ground teams regained communication with Orion commander Reid Wiseman after a six-minute radio blackout during reentry. A US Navy recovery ship was positioned to await the crew’s homecoming.
What's Being Done
A US Navy recovery ship was positioned to await the crew’s homecoming.
Source Coverage Map
17 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Artemis II Lunar Mission Returns to Earth
The Artemis II crew successfully completed its historic lunar mission, returning to Earth after a 10-day test flight. During their journey, they made a long-distance call to the International Space Station and captured stunning images from the moon's far side.
Artemis II Lunar Mission Returns to Earth
The Artemis II crew successfully completed their historic lunar fly-by, traveling farther from Earth than any human before. The mission provided stunning new images of the moon's far side and demonstrated significant progress in human space exploration.
Artemis II Mission Returns to Earth
The Artemis II crew successfully completed its historic trip around the far side of the moon, traveling farther from Earth than any human before. The astronauts are now safely returning, sharing new images and perspectives from their groundbreaking mission.
Artemis II Lunar Mission Return
The Artemis II crew successfully completed their historic journey around the far side of the moon and are now returning to Earth. The mission involved capturing new images and making a long-distance call to the International Space Station, marking significant milestones for NASA.
Artemis II Mission Returns from Lunar Flyby
The Artemis II crew has successfully completed its historic lunar flyby, traveling farther from Earth than any human before. Astronauts are now returning to Earth, sharing new images from the far side of the Moon and making a long-distance call to the International Space Station.
Artemis II Crew Returns from Lunar Fly-by
The Artemis II crew has successfully completed its historic lunar fly-by, traveling farther from Earth than any human before. Astronauts are now returning to Earth, sharing new images from the moon's far side and even making a long-distance call to the International Space Station.
Artemis II Mission Returns to Earth
The Artemis II crew has successfully completed its historic journey around the far side of the moon and is now returning to Earth. Astronauts have shared new images and even made a long-distance call to the International Space Station.
Artemis II Astronauts Return from Lunar Mission
The Artemis II crew has successfully completed its historic trip around the far side of the moon and is now returning to Earth. The mission involved capturing and sharing new images from lunar orbit and making a long-distance call to the International Space Station.
Artemis II Mission Nears Completion
The four NASA Artemis II astronauts are preparing for a 'fireball' re-entry to Earth, concluding their historic moon mission. The crew has been engaging with the public, answering questions from space, and continuing the Apollo tradition of naming lunar features after loved ones.
Artemis II Mission Nears Earth Return
NASA's Artemis II mission is concluding its historic journey, with the crew preparing for a 'fireball' re-entry to Earth. Astronauts are reflecting on their experiences and continuing the Apollo tradition of naming lunar features after loved ones.
Artemis II Mission Nears Earth Return
The Artemis II mission is in its final stretch, with the crew preparing for splashdown near San Diego. NASA expresses confidence in the spacecraft's heat shield for reentry, while the crew acknowledges the critical nature of this phase after their historic lunar voyage.
Artemis II Mission Nears Earth Return
The Artemis II mission is concluding its historic journey, with the crew preparing for splashdown off the San Diego coast. NASA has expressed confidence in the spacecraft's heat shield for a safe reentry, despite a helium leak requiring a redesign for future missions. The astronauts described their lunar voyage as profound.
Artemis II Mission Return to Earth
The Artemis II astronauts are returning to Earth after a historic lunar mission, preparing for splashdown in the Pacific. Concerns about the spacecraft's heat shield and communication blackouts during reentry are being addressed by NASA.
Artemis II Mission Nears Completion with Pacific Splashdown
NASA's Artemis II mission is concluding its historic lunar journey with a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. The crew, after orbiting the moon, is preparing for re-entry, marking a significant milestone in the agency's lunar comeback.
Artemis II Mission Nears Completion with Pacific Splashdown
NASA's Artemis II mission is concluding its historic lunar journey with the Orion spacecraft preparing for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. This event marks a critical step in NASA's program to re-establish human presence on the moon, with the crew returning after a successful mission.
Artemis II Mission Nears Earth Splashdown
The Artemis II crew is on its way back to Earth after a historic lunar mission, preparing for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off Southern California. The mission's conclusion marks a critical step in NASA's program to re-establish human presence on the moon. The return involves a fiery, 14-minute reentry, with recovery operations broadcast live.
Artemis II Mission Nears Earth Splashdown
NASA's Artemis II mission is concluding its historic journey, with the Orion spacecraft and its four astronauts preparing for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. The crew's return marks a critical step in NASA's human exploration program, with preparations underway for the fiery reentry and recovery.
Artemis II Mission Nears Earth Splashdown
NASA's Artemis II crew is returning to Earth for a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean, marking the conclusion of their historic moon mission. Preparations are underway for the fiery reentry and safe recovery of the four astronauts.
Artemis II Mission Concludes with Pacific Ocean Splashdown
NASA's Artemis II mission is successfully concluding with its crew returning to Earth via a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. This marks a significant milestone in the mission's lunar flyby, with the public and scientists closely following the final stages.
Artemis II Mission Returns to Earth
The Artemis II crew is successfully returning to Earth after a historic lunar flyby mission. Preparations are underway for their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, marking the conclusion of a significant step in human space exploration.
Artemis II Mission Concludes with Successful Splashdown
NASA's Artemis II mission successfully concluded with the Orion capsule and its four-person crew splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean. This historic lunar flyby marks a significant step in humanity's return to the Moon, providing valuable data for future deep space exploration.
Artemis II Lunar Mission Concludes with Successful Splashdown
NASA's Artemis II mission successfully concluded with its four astronauts returning to Earth via a Pacific Ocean splashdown. The mission, which orbited the Moon, marked a significant step in humanity's return to lunar exploration, providing valuable data and imagery.
Artemis II Mission Concludes with Successful Pacific Splashdown
The historic Artemis II mission successfully concluded with its Orion spacecraft and four astronauts splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. This marks a significant milestone for NASA's renewed efforts to return humans to the Moon, providing valuable data and momentum for future lunar endeavors.
Artemis II Mission Concludes Successfully
NASA's Artemis II mission, carrying four astronauts, successfully concluded its historic journey around the Moon and returned to Earth with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. This mission marks a significant step in humanity's return to lunar exploration and provides crucial data for future deep-space endeavors.
Artemis II Mission Concludes with Successful Lunar Return
The Artemis II mission successfully completed its historic journey around the Moon, with four astronauts splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean. This mission marked the first crewed test flight around the Moon in decades, paving the way for future lunar exploration.
Artemis II Astronauts Return to Earth After Historic Moon Mission
The four astronauts of NASA's Artemis II mission successfully returned to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean after a historic journey around the Moon. This mission marks a significant step in humanity's return to lunar exploration and provides crucial data for future space endeavors.
Artemis II Astronauts Return to Earth After Historic Moon Mission
The Artemis II mission successfully concluded with its four astronauts splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean. This historic journey marked humanity's first crewed lunar flyby in decades, providing NASA with crucial momentum for future lunar exploration and the broader 'moon race'.
Artemis II Moon Mission Concludes with Successful Splashdown
The Artemis II mission, carrying four astronauts on a historic lunar flyby, successfully concluded with a safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. This milestone marks a critical step in NASA's efforts to return humans to the Moon and beyond.
Artemis II Mission: Historic Lunar Flyby and Return
The Artemis II mission successfully completed a historic lunar flyby, marking the first crewed journey around the Moon in over 50 years. The four astronauts safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, providing NASA with crucial momentum for future lunar exploration.
Artemis II Crew Returns to Earth After Historic Moon Mission
The Artemis II crew successfully returned to Earth, splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean after completing a historic lunar flyby. This mission, the first crewed journey around the Moon in over 50 years, marks a critical step in NASA's renewed efforts to return humans to the lunar surface.
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
GlobalShortlisted for an Oscar, 'Homebound' is a daring movie about two dear friends - NPR
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxQanA1Nk1USkx4VDk4V2xCUDlXNTZNenFQdF9zZV83UFFlQlAtM3hmaUZPNUlFZVl1TzBoS1A2X3puMElBcFlmT1ExQ25QTVBCYXcxYVY2NC1HOWVjT0FCRHJua1duZzFPWWZ2QmkzLURUX29IOFpYV0Vwd1laVVRwb1lGWVJjYjhHQmJxUVVXX2FzNTRrZW1V?oc=5" target="_blank">Shortlisted for an Oscar, 'Homebound' is a daring movie about two dear friends</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">NPR</font>
PoliticsVirginia redistricting battle enters home stretch
Democrats’ push to redistrict in Virginia is entering the home stretch as the party seeks to solidify an advantage in four more House districts ahead of the November midterms. Heavyweight donors have poured millions of dollars into the April 21 contest, which asks Virginians to consider a constitutional amendment that would redraw the Old Dominion’s…
TechnologyPolice arrest a suspect in a Molotov attack at OpenAI CEO’s San Francisco home - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilAFBVV95cUxOTWdHd2hxcm44a2M4NUhPMnhYcEhLTjBYQVdIRUx5UEF5R2pXNUlrSVRVZ1l1YW0zalZQcXpUd09zUHVTNEJEVHNORlMwMUpDbngyaVFvR0s0MTVtVGJiTWRyQ1Q5cXVYa0F3Q1FZMmtsMnRlOHRpdUVSS3poQ2F6eXluV2xfc29IVjN3U2dqRUNpYmxJ?oc=5" target="_blank">Police arrest a suspect in a Molotov attack at OpenAI CEO’s San Francisco home</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
TechnologySuspect arrested after Molotov cocktail attack at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxNZktpUUg3SzJTbUVKMnJxY0drWl8yUTNmSFRKZ0pPY3EwUzNnSFE0d24tRjhncnViWEdfeUFLQkVDZ3hmbjE2QV9lVVcyTWtoWHpjSFhxOHVOcTBfVVdzZUFHVUE1amhncW9YT0pnQmRIZmJBR2JMMFVvd3k0U01NVGFYSjZfXzZoclRvaXNndXdUaW10V2RoTEMtSENxUnlZZ3dfLVdYUU8zSlJ0QUlWZUpPVEdHUmtrQmVj?oc=5" target="_blank">Suspect arrested after Molotov cocktail attack at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
TechnologyArtemis II's grand moon finale is almost here with a Pacific splashdown to cap NASA's lunar comeback - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxQVy14Yk55T1BZN2QtX2R4YUdNY3RLM1M3aWxtbkYxUHh0OFAzd0ZISHNZYmZDZmV6Q3FrX20yQVg0MjJUcDVyVmZTNW0xR294VW0xdElGWGd5YTdJbHFraU1tVEI1UU9zR1Mtamp4NENnRTNSS3RSbHlCQnJCTldzcEVRazJ5YzVzMFVIOUxram94czdvOXdGbDFRLWtjVWtG?oc=5" target="_blank">Artemis II's grand moon finale is almost here with a Pacific splashdown to cap NASA's lunar comeback</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
TechnologyWhat new images of the moon tell NASA
The Artemis II astronauts are testing out some systems inside the capsule ahead of their planned splashdown off the coast of San Diego on Friday. CBS News' Mark Strassmann has more from the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
‘I feel helpless’: college graduates can’t find entry-level roles in shrinking market amid rise of AI
<p>Young American graduates expressed frustration over fewer job openings and longer searches</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>American <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/colleges">college</a> graduates are facing the <a href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market#--:overview">worst entry-level job market</a> since the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak">pandemic</a>, with the underemployment rate reaching 42.5% – its highest level since 2020.</p><p>Several young graduates told the Guardian about their struggles navigating a job market shaped by tightening opportunities, the r...
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Fuel efficiency a hot topic at New York Auto Show
How China fell for a lobster: What an AI assistant tells us about Beijing's ambition
Over-the-counter medication abortion? These researchers say it would be safe
Supreme Court returns state-secrets privilege case to lower court
US Democratic lawmakers visit Cuba, call on Trump to "bring the rhetoric down" - Reuters
