Watch the Artemis II re-entry: Separation, blackout, then splashdown

BBC News
April 11, 2026
2 min read

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Artemis II crew successfully returned to Earth after a 10-day journey to the Moon, concluding with splashdown.

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The four crew members of the Artemis II mission have successfully returned to Earth, concluding their 10-day journey to the Moon. Their re-entry sequence involved spacecraft separation, a communications blackout period, and a final splashdown. This mission marks a significant milestone in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface. The successful completion of Artemis II demonstrates the capabilities of the Orion spacecraft and its systems for future lunar exploration.

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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.

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