{"id":1877133,"date":"2026-04-10T06:18:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T03:18:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1877133"},"modified":"2026-04-10T06:18:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T03:18:25","slug":"artemis-ii-splashes-down-in-pacific-after-historic-moon-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1877133","title":{"rendered":"Artemis II splashes down in Pacific after historic moon trip"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76745395_6.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"s1sfzv1a sk6xmai\">\n<div class=\"content-area sa7l9jt s9mg977\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"sharing-icons-inline\" class=\"c75t7t0 hh5424a in-line closed\">\n<div class=\"copy-button-wrapper closed\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Bv7V<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"s4bcs45\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76745395_800.webp 50w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76745395_801.webp 129w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76745395_802.webp 352w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76745395_803.webp 575w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 575px)\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" \/><figcaption class=\"c1oedowi lofg86o m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">The Artemis II astronauts have been extracted from their capsule after splashing down off the coast of California<small class=\"copyright c19ed66t ihwmx5 idu7i8u lxmvniw icns9en rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Image: Bill Ingalls\/NASA\/Anadolu\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" id=\"live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"c1800ln sq3xutt atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section What you need to know<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"c2fyhwl ctymiyf content-block i1if36d6 i1ytahzz\">\n<h2 class=\"cp7bjxx h1du6kc5 lt5vbch pohyj9x s16w0xvi m1u0isv1 b1fzgn0z\">What you need to know<\/h2>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li>The NASA astronauts are the first humans to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-crew-snaps-earthset-in-throwback-to-apollo-8\/a-76698514\">observe the far-side of the moon<\/a><\/li>\n<li>NASA says crew &#8216;happy and healthy&#8217; after splashdown<\/li>\n<li>The Orion spacecraft broke\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-breaks-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight\/a-76677687\">Apollo 13&#8217;s record for traveling the farthest distance from Earth<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>This blog has ended. Thank you for reading.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>You can catch up on the key moments of the\u00a0Artemis II return and landing on April 10 and April 11 below.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"s1ogwy7c ev9ivjh\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76745434\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76745434\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section NASA says Artemis astronauts &#8216;healthy and happy&#8217; after returning to Earth<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">NASA says Artemis astronauts &#8216;healthy and happy&#8217; after returning to Earth<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76745355\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76745355_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Victor Glover and Christina Koch pose for a photo before leaving a US military helicopter\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch were part of the four-member crew<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Joel Kowsky\/NASA\/Anadolu\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Addressing reporters after the splashdown, NASA entry flight director Rick Henfling said the crew was &#8220;happy and healthy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We saw the crew a number of times after they got out of the spacecraft,&#8221; he said, adding that &#8220;everyone was happy and healthy and ready to come back to Houston &#8220;<\/p>\n<p>At the same press conference, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Lori Glaze said many more moon missions would follow.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are so thrilled to have Reid, Victor, Christina and Jeremy back here on Earth and, safely aboard the USS John P. Murtha&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our team is fired up, and this mission, that we are talking about, is just the beginning,&#8221; Glaze added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0za<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76745068\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76745068\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section What you should know about the Artemis II mission:<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">What you should know about the Artemis II mission:<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nasa\/t-64526832\">NASA\u2019s<\/a> Artemis 2 was the first crewed mission to the moon since 1972<\/li>\n<li>The Artemis II was <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-leave-earths-orbit-rocket-towards-moon\/a-76649996\">launched aboard the Orion spacecraft<\/a> on 1 April 2026<\/li>\n<li>The astronauts aboard the Artemis II traveled <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-breaks-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight\/a-76677687\">further into space than anyone in history<\/a><\/li>\n<li>During a six-hour flyby, the crew <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-crew-snaps-earthset-in-throwback-to-apollo-8\/a-76698514\">captured images<\/a> never seen before of the far side of the moon<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-crew-emotional-as-mission-prepares-for-reentry\/a-76717707\">four-member crew<\/a> splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on April 10<\/li>\n<li>From liftoff to splashdown, the trip clocked in at 9 days, 1 hour, 32\u00a0minutes and 15\u00a0seconds &#8212; though NASA rounds up and calls it a 10-day mission<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0tg<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76745064\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76745064\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section &#8216;Welcome to our moonshot,&#8217; NASA says after success of Artemis II<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">&#8216;Welcome to our moonshot,&#8217; NASA says after success of Artemis II<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nasa\/t-64526832\">NASA<\/a> officials on Friday celebrated the success of the Artemis II mission, hailing the success of the astronauts but also the many engineers behind the mission.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;53 years ago, humanity left the moon, this time we return to stay. Let us finish what they started,&#8221; said Amit Kshatriya, NASA associate administrator.<\/p>\n<p>Lori Glaze, deputy associate administrator of NASA&#8217;s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, said this was only the beginning.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We did it! We sent four amazing people to the moon and safely returned them to Earth for the first time in more than 50 years,&#8221; Glaze said. &#8220;To the generation that now knows what we&#8217;re capable of, welcome to our moonshot.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0tc<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76744909\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76744909\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section IN PICTURES \u2014 Navy picks up Artemis II crew after splashing down<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">IN PICTURES \u2014 Navy picks up Artemis II crew after splashing down<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The four-member Artemis II crew have been picked up by Navy helicopters after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California as scheduled.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76744908\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76744908_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A boat approaches the Artemis II crew capsule floating in the Pacific Ocean following splashdown in this screengrab from a livestream video after the Artemis II crew's flyby of the Moon, April 10, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Boats approach the Artemis II crew capsule to extract its 4-member-crew<small class=\"copyright\">Image: NASA\/Handout\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76744936\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76744936_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Recovery personnel open the side hatch of the Artemis II crew capsule floating in the Pacific Ocean following splashdown in this screengrab from a livestream video after the Artemis II crew's flyby of the Moon, April 10, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Navy personnel were waiting for the crew in boats so that they could extract them from their raft<small class=\"copyright\">Image: NASA\/Handout\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76744996\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76744996_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A helicopter awaits to transport a crew member to the recovery ship in this screengrab from a livestream video after the Artemis II crew's flyby of the Moon, April 10, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Helicopters pick up the crew from aboard the &#8216;front porch&#8217;<small class=\"copyright\">Image: NASA\/Handout\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76744972\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76744972_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\" A helicopter transports a crew member to the recovery ship on April 10, 2026 \"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Artemis II astronauts make their way to the US Navy USS John P. Murtha aboard a Navy helicopter<small class=\"copyright\">Image: NASA\/Handout\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0r7<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76744942\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76744942\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Artemis II crew land on US Navy ship<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Artemis II crew land on US Navy ship<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The four-member crew of the Artemis II has landed on the US Navy USS John P. Murtha, concluding a lengthy extraction mission after their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean nearly two hours ago.<\/p>\n<p>The crew will undergo initial medical evaluations on the ship before continuing\u00a0to Houston, where they are due to reunite with their families.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0re<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76744941\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76744941\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Navy helicopters pick up Artemis II crew<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Navy helicopters pick up Artemis II crew<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Navy helicopters have picked up the Artemis II astronauts from the &#8220;front porch&#8221; and are airlifting them to the US Navy USS John P. Murtha.<\/p>\n<p>The ship was positioned off the San Diego coast, supported by military aircraft and helicopters, to assist in the operation.<\/p>\n<p>On the ship, the Artemis II crew will undergo initial medical evaluations before they reunite with their families in Houston.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0rd<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76744939\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76744939\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Crew out of capsule on &#8216;front porch&#8217;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Crew out of capsule on &#8216;front porch&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The four-member crew of Artemis II proceeded out of their Orion capsule.<\/p>\n<p>They were loaded onto the &#8220;front porch,&#8221; the name given to the raft where they will wait for Navy helicopters as part of their extraction out of the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>The crew had splashed down off the coast of Southern California over an hour ago.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0rb<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76744937\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76744937\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section NASA begins recovery of Artemis II crew after &#8216;textbook touchdown&#8217;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">NASA begins recovery of Artemis II crew after &#8216;textbook touchdown&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>After their &#8220;textbook touchdown&#8221; into the Pacific on Saturday, the crew of NASA&#8217;s Artemis II mission <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-crew-emotional-as-mission-prepares-for-reentry\/a-76717707\">is set to undergo<\/a> recovery procedures.<\/p>\n<p>Commander Reid Wiseman, along with Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, remained inside the capsule as recovery teams moved in.<\/p>\n<p>The US Navy USS John P. Murtha was positioned off the San Diego coast, supported by military aircraft and helicopters, to assist in the operation.<\/p>\n<p>NASA and US military personnel are expected to take about an hour to secure the floating capsule and help the astronauts exit.<\/p>\n<p>The crew will then be airlifted to the ship, where they will undergo initial medical evaluations.<\/p>\n<p>Following these checks, the astronauts are scheduled to travel to Houston, where they are expected to reunite with their families <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-breaks-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight\/a-76677687\">at mission control<\/a> later this weekend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0rZ<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76744910\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76744910\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Trump congratulates Artemis II crew on &#8216;spectacular&#8217; trip<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Trump congratulates Artemis II crew on &#8216;spectacular&#8217; trip<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>US President <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Donald Trump<\/a> congratulated the four-member crew of the Artemis II in a post on his Truth Social platform.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Congratulations to the Great and Very Talented Crew of Artemis II. The entire trip was spectacular, the landing was perfect and, as President of the United States, I could not be more proud!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he looked forward to seeing them at the White House soon.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We\u2019ll be doing it again and then, next step, Mars!&#8221; Trump said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0r8<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76744594\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76744594\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section DW&#8217;s live coverage: Artemis II returns to Earth<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">Published 04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">Published April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><span class=\"last-update icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">last updated 04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">last updated April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">DW&#8217;s live coverage: Artemis II returns to Earth<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Click below to watch DW&#8217;s live coverage as the Artemis II crew returns to Earth as it happened.<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed yt-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0m2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76744603\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76744603\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Artemis II splashes down in Pacific Ocean after historic moon voyage<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Artemis II splashes down in Pacific Ocean after historic moon voyage<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76744754\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76744754_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\" The Artemis II crew capsule splashes down in the Pacific Ocean in this screengrab from a livestream video after the Artemis II crew's flyby of the Moon, April 10, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">NASA said the mission elapsed time was 9 days, 1 hour, 32 minutes and 15 seconds<small class=\"copyright\">Image: NASA\/Handout\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u00a0The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-crew-emotional-as-mission-prepares-for-reentry\/a-76717707\">four-member crew<\/a> of the Artemis II splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, after a 10-day moon voyage, the first in over half a century.<\/p>\n<p>NASA&#8217;s mission saw the crew break the record for <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-breaks-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight\/a-76677687\">venturing deeper into space<\/a> than any other humans.<\/p>\n<p>US astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen returned to Earth aboard their Orion spacecraft, dubbed Integrity.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have you loud and clear,&#8221; mission commander Wiseman said following a communications check.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What a journey,&#8221; he added. &#8220;We are stable.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0mB<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76744699\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76744699\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Communication restored with Artemis II after expected blackout<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Communication restored with Artemis II after expected blackout<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Communication has just been restored with the Artemis II Orion spacecraft, after a six-minute blackout that was expected ahead of the scheduled splashdown.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Houston. Integrity. We have you loud and clear,&#8221; said mission commander Reid Wiseman following a voice check after the communications loss.\u00a0<br \/>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0nj<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76744696\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76744696\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Communication lost with Artemis II as expected<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Communication lost with Artemis II as expected<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Communication has been lost with the Artemis II Orion spacecraft, as expected ahead of the scheduled splashdown, as it enters the Earth&#8217;s atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p>The blackout is due to last six minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0ng<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76744604\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76744604\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Service module separates from Orion<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Service module separates from Orion<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The Orion capsule bringing back four Artemis II astronauts has shed its propulsion system as planned ahead of reentering the Earth&#8217;s atmosphere.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0mC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76744567\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861#post-liveblog-post-76744567\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Artemis II prepares to splash down on Earth<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">04\/11\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 11, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Artemis II prepares to splash down on Earth<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>As the Artemis crew prepares for their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off southern California in less than two hours, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nasa\/t-64526832\">NASA<\/a> shared some breathtaking photos taken by the crew during their record-setting mission.<\/p>\n<p>NASA also shared a video as the Orion spacecraft inches closer to our planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5C0lb<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"bp605kw center\">\n<div role=\"button\" data-tracking-name=\"show-more\" class=\"show-more-button s1va3u11 t1y9040i m7i2pic e3w9kkf b19vsmfu cx4rgdt ih9bob8 sngcpkw w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Show more posts<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li>The NASA astronauts are the first humans to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-crew-snaps-earthset-in-throwback-to-apollo-8\/a-76698514\">observe the far-side of the moon<\/a><\/li>\n<li>NASA says crew &#8216;happy and healthy&#8217; after splashdown<\/li>\n<li>The Orion spacecraft broke\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-breaks-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight\/a-76677687\">Apollo 13&#8217;s record for traveling the farthest distance from Earth<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>This blog has ended. Thank you for reading.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>You can catch up on the key moments of the\u00a0Artemis II return and landing on April 10 and April 11 below.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>This blog has ended. Thank you for reading.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>You can catch up on the key moments of the\u00a0Artemis II return and landing on April 10 and April 11 below.<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76745355\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76745355_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Victor Glover and Christina Koch pose for a photo before leaving a US military helicopter\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch were part of the four-member crew<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Joel Kowsky\/NASA\/Anadolu\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Addressing reporters after the splashdown, NASA entry flight director Rick Henfling said the crew was &#8220;happy and healthy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We saw the crew a number of times after they got out of the spacecraft,&#8221; he said, adding that &#8220;everyone was happy and healthy and ready to come back to Houston &#8220;<\/p>\n<p>At the same press conference, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Lori Glaze said many more moon missions would follow.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are so thrilled to have Reid, Victor, Christina and Jeremy back here on Earth and, safely aboard the USS John P. Murtha&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our team is fired up, and this mission, that we are talking about, is just the beginning,&#8221; Glaze added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Addressing reporters after the splashdown, NASA entry flight director Rick Henfling said the crew was &#8220;happy and healthy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We saw the crew a number of times after they got out of the spacecraft,&#8221; he said, adding that &#8220;everyone was happy and healthy and ready to come back to Houston &#8220;<\/p>\n<p>At the same press conference, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Lori Glaze said many more moon missions would follow.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are so thrilled to have Reid, Victor, Christina and Jeremy back here on Earth and, safely aboard the USS John P. Murtha&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our team is fired up, and this mission, that we are talking about, is just the beginning,&#8221; Glaze added.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nasa\/t-64526832\">NASA\u2019s<\/a> Artemis 2 was the first crewed mission to the moon since 1972<\/li>\n<li>The Artemis II was <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-leave-earths-orbit-rocket-towards-moon\/a-76649996\">launched aboard the Orion spacecraft<\/a> on 1 April 2026<\/li>\n<li>The astronauts aboard the Artemis II traveled <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-breaks-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight\/a-76677687\">further into space than anyone in history<\/a><\/li>\n<li>During a six-hour flyby, the crew <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-crew-snaps-earthset-in-throwback-to-apollo-8\/a-76698514\">captured images<\/a> never seen before of the far side of the moon<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-crew-emotional-as-mission-prepares-for-reentry\/a-76717707\">four-member crew<\/a> splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on April 10<\/li>\n<li>From liftoff to splashdown, the trip clocked in at 9 days, 1 hour, 32\u00a0minutes and 15\u00a0seconds &#8212; though NASA rounds up and calls it a 10-day mission<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nasa\/t-64526832\">NASA<\/a> officials on Friday celebrated the success of the Artemis II mission, hailing the success of the astronauts but also the many engineers behind the mission.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;53 years ago, humanity left the moon, this time we return to stay. Let us finish what they started,&#8221; said Amit Kshatriya, NASA associate administrator.<\/p>\n<p>Lori Glaze, deputy associate administrator of NASA&#8217;s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, said this was only the beginning.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We did it! We sent four amazing people to the moon and safely returned them to Earth for the first time in more than 50 years,&#8221; Glaze said. &#8220;To the generation that now knows what we&#8217;re capable of, welcome to our moonshot.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nasa\/t-64526832\">NASA<\/a> officials on Friday celebrated the success of the Artemis II mission, hailing the success of the astronauts but also the many engineers behind the mission.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;53 years ago, humanity left the moon, this time we return to stay. Let us finish what they started,&#8221; said Amit Kshatriya, NASA associate administrator.<\/p>\n<p>Lori Glaze, deputy associate administrator of NASA&#8217;s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, said this was only the beginning.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We did it! We sent four amazing people to the moon and safely returned them to Earth for the first time in more than 50 years,&#8221; Glaze said. &#8220;To the generation that now knows what we&#8217;re capable of, welcome to our moonshot.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The four-member Artemis II crew have been picked up by Navy helicopters after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California as scheduled.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76744908\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76744908_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A boat approaches the Artemis II crew capsule floating in the Pacific Ocean following splashdown in this screengrab from a livestream video after the Artemis II crew's flyby of the Moon, April 10, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Boats approach the Artemis II crew capsule to extract its 4-member-crew<small class=\"copyright\">Image: NASA\/Handout\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76744936\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76744936_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Recovery personnel open the side hatch of the Artemis II crew capsule floating in the Pacific Ocean following splashdown in this screengrab from a livestream video after the Artemis II crew's flyby of the Moon, April 10, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Navy personnel were waiting for the crew in boats so that they could extract them from their raft<small class=\"copyright\">Image: NASA\/Handout\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76744996\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76744996_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A helicopter awaits to transport a crew member to the recovery ship in this screengrab from a livestream video after the Artemis II crew's flyby of the Moon, April 10, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Helicopters pick up the crew from aboard the &#8216;front porch&#8217;<small class=\"copyright\">Image: NASA\/Handout\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76744972\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76744972_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\" A helicopter transports a crew member to the recovery ship on April 10, 2026 \"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Artemis II astronauts make their way to the US Navy USS John P. Murtha aboard a Navy helicopter<small class=\"copyright\">Image: NASA\/Handout\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The four-member Artemis II crew have been picked up by Navy helicopters after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California as scheduled.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The four-member crew of the Artemis II has landed on the US Navy USS John P. Murtha, concluding a lengthy extraction mission after their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean nearly two hours ago.<\/p>\n<p>The crew will undergo initial medical evaluations on the ship before continuing\u00a0to Houston, where they are due to reunite with their families.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The four-member crew of the Artemis II has landed on the US Navy USS John P. Murtha, concluding a lengthy extraction mission after their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean nearly two hours ago.<\/p>\n<p>The crew will undergo initial medical evaluations on the ship before continuing\u00a0to Houston, where they are due to reunite with their families.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Navy helicopters have picked up the Artemis II astronauts from the &#8220;front porch&#8221; and are airlifting them to the US Navy USS John P. Murtha.<\/p>\n<p>The ship was positioned off the San Diego coast, supported by military aircraft and helicopters, to assist in the operation.<\/p>\n<p>On the ship, the Artemis II crew will undergo initial medical evaluations before they reunite with their families in Houston.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Navy helicopters have picked up the Artemis II astronauts from the &#8220;front porch&#8221; and are airlifting them to the US Navy USS John P. Murtha.<\/p>\n<p>The ship was positioned off the San Diego coast, supported by military aircraft and helicopters, to assist in the operation.<\/p>\n<p>On the ship, the Artemis II crew will undergo initial medical evaluations before they reunite with their families in Houston.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The four-member crew of Artemis II proceeded out of their Orion capsule.<\/p>\n<p>They were loaded onto the &#8220;front porch,&#8221; the name given to the raft where they will wait for Navy helicopters as part of their extraction out of the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>The crew had splashed down off the coast of Southern California over an hour ago.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The four-member crew of Artemis II proceeded out of their Orion capsule.<\/p>\n<p>They were loaded onto the &#8220;front porch,&#8221; the name given to the raft where they will wait for Navy helicopters as part of their extraction out of the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>The crew had splashed down off the coast of Southern California over an hour ago.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>After their &#8220;textbook touchdown&#8221; into the Pacific on Saturday, the crew of NASA&#8217;s Artemis II mission <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-crew-emotional-as-mission-prepares-for-reentry\/a-76717707\">is set to undergo<\/a> recovery procedures.<\/p>\n<p>Commander Reid Wiseman, along with Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, remained inside the capsule as recovery teams moved in.<\/p>\n<p>The US Navy USS John P. Murtha was positioned off the San Diego coast, supported by military aircraft and helicopters, to assist in the operation.<\/p>\n<p>NASA and US military personnel are expected to take about an hour to secure the floating capsule and help the astronauts exit.<\/p>\n<p>The crew will then be airlifted to the ship, where they will undergo initial medical evaluations.<\/p>\n<p>Following these checks, the astronauts are scheduled to travel to Houston, where they are expected to reunite with their families <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-breaks-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight\/a-76677687\">at mission control<\/a> later this weekend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>After their &#8220;textbook touchdown&#8221; into the Pacific on Saturday, the crew of NASA&#8217;s Artemis II mission <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-crew-emotional-as-mission-prepares-for-reentry\/a-76717707\">is set to undergo<\/a> recovery procedures.<\/p>\n<p>Commander Reid Wiseman, along with Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, remained inside the capsule as recovery teams moved in.<\/p>\n<p>The US Navy USS John P. Murtha was positioned off the San Diego coast, supported by military aircraft and helicopters, to assist in the operation.<\/p>\n<p>NASA and US military personnel are expected to take about an hour to secure the floating capsule and help the astronauts exit.<\/p>\n<p>The crew will then be airlifted to the ship, where they will undergo initial medical evaluations.<\/p>\n<p>Following these checks, the astronauts are scheduled to travel to Houston, where they are expected to reunite with their families <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-breaks-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight\/a-76677687\">at mission control<\/a> later this weekend.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>US President <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Donald Trump<\/a> congratulated the four-member crew of the Artemis II in a post on his Truth Social platform.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Congratulations to the Great and Very Talented Crew of Artemis II. The entire trip was spectacular, the landing was perfect and, as President of the United States, I could not be more proud!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he looked forward to seeing them at the White House soon.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We\u2019ll be doing it again and then, next step, Mars!&#8221; Trump said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>US President <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Donald Trump<\/a> congratulated the four-member crew of the Artemis II in a post on his Truth Social platform.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Congratulations to the Great and Very Talented Crew of Artemis II. The entire trip was spectacular, the landing was perfect and, as President of the United States, I could not be more proud!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he looked forward to seeing them at the White House soon.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We\u2019ll be doing it again and then, next step, Mars!&#8221; Trump said.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Click below to watch DW&#8217;s live coverage as the Artemis II crew returns to Earth as it happened.<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed yt-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Click below to watch DW&#8217;s live coverage as the Artemis II crew returns to Earth as it happened.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76744754\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76744754_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\" The Artemis II crew capsule splashes down in the Pacific Ocean in this screengrab from a livestream video after the Artemis II crew's flyby of the Moon, April 10, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">NASA said the mission elapsed time was 9 days, 1 hour, 32 minutes and 15 seconds<small class=\"copyright\">Image: NASA\/Handout\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u00a0The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-crew-emotional-as-mission-prepares-for-reentry\/a-76717707\">four-member crew<\/a> of the Artemis II splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, after a 10-day moon voyage, the first in over half a century.<\/p>\n<p>NASA&#8217;s mission saw the crew break the record for <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-breaks-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight\/a-76677687\">venturing deeper into space<\/a> than any other humans.<\/p>\n<p>US astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen returned to Earth aboard their Orion spacecraft, dubbed Integrity.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have you loud and clear,&#8221; mission commander Wiseman said following a communications check.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What a journey,&#8221; he added. &#8220;We are stable.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u00a0The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-crew-emotional-as-mission-prepares-for-reentry\/a-76717707\">four-member crew<\/a> of the Artemis II splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, after a 10-day moon voyage, the first in over half a century.<\/p>\n<p>NASA&#8217;s mission saw the crew break the record for <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-breaks-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight\/a-76677687\">venturing deeper into space<\/a> than any other humans.<\/p>\n<p>US astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen returned to Earth aboard their Orion spacecraft, dubbed Integrity.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have you loud and clear,&#8221; mission commander Wiseman said following a communications check.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What a journey,&#8221; he added. &#8220;We are stable.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Communication has just been restored with the Artemis II Orion spacecraft, after a six-minute blackout that was expected ahead of the scheduled splashdown.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Houston. Integrity. We have you loud and clear,&#8221; said mission commander Reid Wiseman following a voice check after the communications loss.\u00a0<br \/>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Communication has just been restored with the Artemis II Orion spacecraft, after a six-minute blackout that was expected ahead of the scheduled splashdown.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Houston. Integrity. We have you loud and clear,&#8221; said mission commander Reid Wiseman following a voice check after the communications loss.\u00a0<br \/>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Communication has been lost with the Artemis II Orion spacecraft, as expected ahead of the scheduled splashdown, as it enters the Earth&#8217;s atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p>The blackout is due to last six minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Communication has been lost with the Artemis II Orion spacecraft, as expected ahead of the scheduled splashdown, as it enters the Earth&#8217;s atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p>The blackout is due to last six minutes.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The Orion capsule bringing back four Artemis II astronauts has shed its propulsion system as planned ahead of reentering the Earth&#8217;s atmosphere.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Orion capsule bringing back four Artemis II astronauts has shed its propulsion system as planned ahead of reentering the Earth&#8217;s atmosphere.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>As the Artemis crew prepares for their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off southern California in less than two hours, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nasa\/t-64526832\">NASA<\/a> shared some breathtaking photos taken by the crew during their record-setting mission.<\/p>\n<p>NASA also shared a video as the Orion spacecraft inches closer to our planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>As the Artemis crew prepares for their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off southern California in less than two hours, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nasa\/t-64526832\">NASA<\/a> shared some breathtaking photos taken by the crew during their record-setting mission.<\/p>\n<p>NASA also shared a video as the Orion spacecraft inches closer to our planet.<\/p>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/artemis-ii-astronauts-set-to-splash-down-back-on-earth-orion\/live-76722861&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76745395_6.jpg&#8221;] https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Bv7V The Artemis II astronauts have been extracted from their capsule after splashing down off the coast of CaliforniaImage: Bill Ingalls\/NASA\/Anadolu\/picture alliance Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know The NASA astronauts are the first humans to observe the far-side of the moon NASA says crew [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,74],"class_list":["post-1877133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dw-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1877133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1877133"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1877133\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1877133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1877133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1877133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}