It was a key test of their heat shield, which in an earlier trial mission had faced complications. The second phase of the Artemis program was a test mission to verify the reliability of the Orion capsule, which before now had not carried humans. While hurtling through deep space and zipping around the Moon the astronauts took thousands of photographs, amassing a stunning portfolio of images that captivated people on Earth. But to the relief of NASA, the astronauts and their families along with the public at large, Artemis II completed a successful trip home, returning four still-healthy astronauts. Loved ones were watching the descent from mission control in Houston, where the astronauts are due to reunite with their families, likely this weekend.

Source: The Star April 11, 2026 13:59 UTC