Artemis 2 Crew Prepares for Earth Return After Historic Moon Mission CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — April 9, 2026
The Artemis 2 astronauts, the first humans to venture near the Moon in over 50 years, are set to land in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday night, concluding their groundbreaking mission.
## Mission Overview and Landing Plans The four-person crew, launched from Cape Canaveral aboard NASA’s Orion capsule propelled by the Space Launch System rocket, has spent the past days orbiting the Moon. Their return marks a significant milestone in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to lunar exploration after the Apollo era.
NASA confirmed that weather conditions are favorable for the planned splashdown, with teams stationed in the Pacific ready for recovery operations. The crew will not break the speed record set by Apollo 10, reaching a maximum velocity of 10,657 meters per second—still an impressive feat for modern space travel.
## International Recognition and Pride Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the crew via live video link, expressing national pride in their achievements. Speaking in German, he said: *"Die Kanadier können gar nicht stolzer auf euch sein"* ("Canadians couldn’t be prouder of you"). The mission includes Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, highlighting the international collaboration central to Artemis.
The crew’s proximity to the Moon—closer than any human since 1972—has reignited global interest in lunar exploration. Their successful return paves the way for future Artemis missions, including planned lunar landings.
As the world watches, the astronauts will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and descend under parachutes before splashing down, ending a journey that has captivated space enthusiasts and policymakers alike. The mission’s data will inform NASA’s next steps toward establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon.