The spacecraft that carried four astronauts around the Moon has returned to its starting point. NASA's Artemis II capsule arrived back at Florida's Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday. This happened almost a month after it launched on humanity's first lunar trip in over 50 years.
Journey Home and Next Steps
After splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, the Orion capsule was transported by truck from San Diego to Cape Canaveral. Engineers will now closely examine the capsule's heat shield and other parts. This inspection is in preparation for next year's Artemis III mission, which will involve docking tests in Earth's orbit.
The capsule's electronic boxes and research equipment will be removed and reused. The crew, which included U.S. and Canadian astronauts, named the capsule "Integrity." It took them deeper into space than any humans have traveled before. NASA reported that the capsule performed well during the nearly 10-day journey, despite a minor issue with a toilet.
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Astronauts Reflect
Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada's Jeremy Hansen are now taking a break. They completed medical exams and other tests after their mission. Wiseman shared his feelings on X, posting a video of himself relaxing on the beach. He said he had been waiting for that moment and felt a profound sense of peace.
Before Artemis II, astronauts had not flown to the Moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
Artemis III will use a new capsule and crew. They will stay in Earth's orbit to practice docking with lunar landers. These landers are currently being developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin. This will prepare the way for two new astronauts to land on the Moon as early as 2028.
