Summary
NASA's Artemis II mission is returning to Earth after a 10-day trip around the Moon. The mission includes four astronauts and will end with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near Southern California. It marks the first time in over 50 years that people have traveled beyond low-Earth orbit.
Key Facts
- Artemis II is the first crewed mission beyond low-Earth orbit in over 50 years.
- The mission ends with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near Southern California.
- The mission launched on April 1 with four astronauts aboard, including the first woman and first person of color to travel beyond low-Earth orbit.
- The spacecraft reached over 248,000 miles from Earth, setting a new distance record.
- Artemis II gathered data for future missions, including Artemis III, which aims for lunar landings.
- During the mission, the spacecraft experienced a planned communications blackout while behind the Moon.
- The return journey will see the spacecraft enter Earth's atmosphere at high speed, generating extreme heat.
