Artemis II astronauts return home after 694,392 miles journey

AI Summary

NASA's Artemis II mission culminated with the Orion spacecraft splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026, after a 10-day journey covering 694,392 miles (1,117,515 km). This mission marked the first human spaceflight to the moon's vicinity in over 50 years, including a lunar flyby about 252,000 miles away. The successful splashdown demonstrated the Orion spacecraft's ability to withstand re-entry stresses, reaching temperatures of approximately 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius). This accomplishment is a crucial step toward planned lunar landings starting in 2028, potentially influencing future NASA missions and funding.