San Diego, California — In a picture-perfect ending to a groundbreaking journey, the four astronauts of NASA’s Artemis II mission splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego on Friday evening, April 10, 2026.

The Orion spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (Commander), Victor Glover (Pilot), Christina Koch (Mission Specialist), and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist), touched down at 8:07 p.m. ET (5:07 p.m. PT) after a flawless high-speed re-entry.

Recovery teams from NASA and the U.S. military quickly secured the capsule and airlifted the smiling crew via helicopter to the USS John P. Murtha for initial medical checks. All four astronauts were reported to be in excellent health and high spirits.

A Record-Breaking 10-Day Journey Around the Moon

Launched on April 1, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Artemis II crew completed a 10-day mission that took them approximately 694,481 miles round trip. At their farthest point, the astronauts traveled 252,756 miles from Earth — farther than any humans since the Apollo era.

During the mission, the crew performed a close lunar flyby, tested critical Orion spacecraft systems in deep space, and gathered vital data for future lunar landings. They also shared memorable moments from orbit, including celebrating the successful operation of the spacecraft’s advanced life support and waste management systems.

Diverse Crew Makes History

This mission marked several milestones:

• First crewed flight beyond low-Earth orbit in more than 50 years
• First woman (Christina Koch) and first person of color (Victor Glover) on a lunar mission
• First Canadian astronaut (Jeremy Hansen) to fly around the Moon

The crew named their Orion capsule “Integrity” and returned with valuable insights that will help shape America’s future in space.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman Greets the Heroes

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman was aboard the recovery ship to personally welcome the astronauts. In a warm gesture, he treated the returning crew to pizzas as they began their post-mission debriefs.

Isaacman praised the team’s performance and highlighted the strong collaboration between NASA, the U.S. military, and commercial partners that made the mission possible.

What’s Next: Artemis III Crewed Lunar Landing in 2028

The successful return of Artemis II is a major step forward for NASA’s Artemis program. Data collected during this test flight will directly support Artemis III, planned for a crewed landing on the Moon’s surface in 2028 — the first since Apollo 17 in 1972.

This mission also advances long-term goals, including the establishment of a sustainable lunar presence and eventual human exploration of Mars.

A Proud Moment for America and the World

From the fiery re-entry at over 24,000 mph to the pinpoint “bullseye” splashdown, every phase of Artemis II’s return executed flawlessly. The mission has reignited excitement about U.S. leadership in space exploration.

Click USA News will continue to bring you the latest updates on Artemis III preparations, Orion spacecraft upgrades, and the expanding role of American innovation in deep space.

Welcome home, heroes! Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — your journey has inspired a new generation of Americans to reach for the stars.