Artemis II Moon mission concludes successfully as capsule splashes down in Pacific Ocean

WASHINGTON, DC: The historic 10-day trip under the Artemis II mission successfully concluded after four astronauts sent to orbit the Moon landed back home safely. The Artemis II mission capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California, on Friday, April 10.

The first crewed test flight of NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule was not intended to land on the Moon but to test the Orion spacecraft’s systems — life support, navigation, and radiation shielding.

The successful culmination of the mission would strengthen the agency’s further Artemis missions in the next few years and its eventual Moon base ambitions. Perhaps the Mars mission, as the Artemis program promises. After the capsule splashed down, Reid Wiseman, the capsule's commander, confirmed they were safe, saying, "We are four green crewmembers.”

Artemis II astronauts plummeted 400,000 feet

The four astronauts inside the capsule endured a 13-minute ride in which they plummeted 400,000 feet through Earth’s atmosphere to reach the water below. The temperature outside the capsule was nearing 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius).

The falling capsule led to a sonic boom after reentering. While the craft was falling, the astronauts’ bodies would have felt the accelerated gravity force as a person falls downward with a speed, and then the falling rate slows down, leaving the bodies feeling very heavy.

The astronauts would have some time to recover their senses and get ready to leave the capsule during their time in the water.

USS John P Murtha, a Navy ship, and smaller vessels with divers onboard were waiting to retrieve the team.

Trump says he 'could not be more proud' of Artemis II crew

After the successful splashing down of the capsule, President Donald Trump hailed the Artemis II mission, affirming that the next step is Mars.

Taking to Truth Social, he appreciated the crew of the Artemis II mission and conveyed his pride in the result and their skills.

Highlighting the 10-day historic journey, Trump wrote, “Congratulations to the Great and Very Talented Crew of Artemis II. The entire trip was spectacular, the landing was perfect.” He noted that as the president, he “could not be more proud!”

He concluded his message by extending an invitation to the team to the capital, stating, “I look forward to seeing you all at the White House soon. We’ll be doing it again and then, next step, Mars!”