Washington: Trump welcomes Artemis II crew after mission
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In Washington on Wednesday, President Donald Trump welcomed the four-member Artemis II crew to the Oval Office following their safe return from a 10-day lunar flyby mission. Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen were honored alongside their families and key space advisors, including Jared Isaacman. The crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 11, 2026, after traveling about 248,655 miles from Earth and breaking the distance record set by Apollo 13. Artemis II was the first crewed test of NASA’s Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket, paving the way for Artemis III.
More context
Timeline
- 56 years ago Apollo 13 distance record set
- February 2026 Hydrogen leaks delay Artemis II preparations
- Early March 2026 Helium flow issues identified and resolved
- April 1 2026 Artemis II launch window opens
- April 11 2026 Crew splashes down in Pacific
- April 11 2026 Mission breaks Apollo 13 distance
- Wednesday President hosts Artemis II crew
- Soon Artemis III lunar landing mission planned
Why it matters
The Artemis II mission is a big leap for space exploration. It's paving the way for future lunar landings. For you, it's an exciting time to follow NASA's progress. You can check out their website for updates on the upcoming Artemis III mission.
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