Artemis II Astronauts Return to Houston After Historic Lunar Flyby
The Artemis II crew received a warm welcome in Houston following their record-breaking mission around the Moon, marking the first human lunar journey since 1972.
The Artemis II astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—returned to Houston on Saturday after completing a historic 10-day mission around the Moon. This journey marked the first human lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Upon arrival at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center, the crew was greeted by NASA officials, colleagues, and dignitaries. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman introduced them to a standing ovation, stating, "Ladies and gentlemen, your Artemis II crew."
During their mission, the crew set a new record by traveling 252,756 miles from Earth, surpassing Apollo 13's previous record. They captured unprecedented views of the Moon's far side and an Earthset image, showcasing Earth setting behind the lunar horizon.
Despite a malfunctioning space toilet, the mission was deemed a success and is considered critical for the future of NASA's lunar program. It sets the stage for Artemis III in 2027, which will involve docking practice with a lunar lander, and the anticipated Artemis IV Moon landing near the lunar south pole in 2028.
The Artemis II mission also featured several milestones: Victor Glover became the first person of color, Christina Koch the first woman, and Jeremy Hansen the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit.
