The Artemis II mission has ended. Where does NASA go from here?

Ars Technica
April 11, 2026
2 views
1 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

The Artemis II mission concluded with four astronauts splashing down in the Pacific after a Moon journey.

AI Summary

The Artemis II mission successfully concluded Friday evening with its spacecraft, carrying four astronauts, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. The spacecraft had traveled 700,000 miles around the Moon. This successful return to deep space marks humanity's first such journey in over half a century and was a spectacular achievement for NASA and its international partners. The mission's completion now prompts the question of what comes next for NASA's Artemis program.

Source Coverage Map

17 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

40% coverage
Did Not Cover (26)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP Top News96ProPublica95+21 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

5 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Story Tracker

This article is part of a story we're tracking:

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 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 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 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 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.

Artemis II Crew Returns to Earth After Historic Moon Mission

The Artemis II crew has successfully returned to Earth, splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean after completing a historic lunar flyby. This mission, the first crewed lunar journey in over 50 years, marks a significant milestone for NASA's renewed efforts to return humans to the Moon and beyond.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

NASA's Artemis II: conspiracy theories take off about ‘staged’ green screen
Technology

NASA's Artemis II: conspiracy theories take off about ‘staged’ green screen

NASA’s Artemis II is set to return to Earth on Friday, after its astronauts travelled further from Earth than any humans before. But the historic lunar flyby also inflamed conspiracy theories online about a “staged” mission, and triggered a wave of fake viral AI videos.

AFP / France 24Apr 9
Artemis II's grand moon finale is almost here with a Pacific splashdown to cap NASA's lunar comeback - AP News
Technology

Artemis 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>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 10
NASA administrator defends Trump’s proposed budget cuts
Politics

NASA administrator defends Trump’s proposed budget cuts

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on Sunday backed the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts to his agency, as the Artemis II mission continues. “Yes, of course I do,” Isaacman said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” when host Jake Tapper asked whether he supported the administration’s proposed budget cuts for fiscal 2027. On Friday, the Office…

The HillApr 5
With Orion still flying, NASA is nearing key decisions about Artemis III
Technology

With Orion still flying, NASA is nearing key decisions about Artemis III

Ars TechnicaApr 8
What new images of the moon tell NASA
Technology

What 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.

CBS NewsApr 8
US Democratic lawmaker Raskin seeks commission to oversee removal of presidents - Reuters
Politics

US Democratic lawmaker Raskin seeks commission to oversee removal of presidents - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixAFBVV95cUxPWm9ENDBneW9iUEZVT0lvZUVoRWxkcUlHdFlHdG5JYlpib3h5dmtzM3VxVVRnbkNlVE10ZURFREtWNjA3YlRza2NyVU1HQWpxaTYwcXBDWXpLTlJYTXZWU0ZydlpEUTFaMXRjOUF4WlkzRnVhRklrSm12YVQzZ0ZsbmZNbTdpckxPV2xYMWlGdnl6Mk9uUkk2QjE1SnM0YkVNbk1ubFUzQUNXMm1XSFhqbXlQSkZpeWljbVFUc1VVLUwyMFN5?oc=5" target="_blank">US Democratic lawmaker Raskin seeks commission to oversee removal of presidents</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersApr 10
Read Next
‘I feel helpless’: college graduates can’t find entry-level roles in shrinking market amid rise of AI
Technology

‘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&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;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...

Continue reading

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.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources