Space travel After moon flight: "Artemis 2" crew before "fireball" landing
The "Artemis 2" astronauts have flown around the moon, set records and seen things never seen before. But one of the most difficult tasks is yet to come: the return to Earth.
10.04.2026, 09:34
SDA
After being the first humans to fly around the moon in more than 50 years, the four "Artemis 2" astronauts face the last major challenge of their mission with the return to Earth. "Since April 3, 2023, when we were selected for this mission, I've been thinking about returning," said US astronaut Victor Glover at a press conference from the Orion capsule. It was like "riding a fireball through the atmosphere".
In a complicated maneuver, the crew - consisting of US astronauts Christina Koch and Reid Wiseman as well as Canadian Jeremy Hansen alongside Glover - is due to touch down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego at around 02:07 CEST next night. At times, their capsule is expected to reach speeds of up to around 38,400 kilometers per hour, which will expose the astronauts to extreme physical stress.
Heat, physical stress and loss of communication
"Orion" will be exposed to extreme heat on re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, and the astronauts will be protected by a special heat shield. As planned, communication with the control center will be lost for around six minutes. With the help of parachutes, the capsule will then be slowed down and land in the Pacific Ocean. According to NASA, the latest weather forecasts and final exterior images of "Orion" look good.
The four "Artemis 2" astronauts were the first humans near the moon for more than 50 years. Last week, they lifted off from the Cape Canaveral spaceport in the US state of Florida on board the "Orion" capsule with the "Space Launch System" rocket system and then flew around the moon. In the process, they also traveled further away from Earth than humans have ever been before.
