The four astronauts aboard NASA's Artemis II mission are returning to Earth following a historic 10-day journey that marked the first crewed flight around the Moon in more than 53 years. The Orion spacecraft, named Integrity, is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean shortly after 8 p.m. ET on April 10, according to NASA officials.
The crew, consisting of Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, successfully broke the distance record previously held by Apollo 13. On April 6, at approximately 1:57 p.m., the spacecraft traveled beyond 248,655 statute miles from Earth, surpassing the distance set by Apollo 13 nearly 56 years ago. Mission Control confirmed that the crew had passed the halfway point to the Moon and was closer to their lunar destination than Earth by April 3.
During the mission, the astronauts captured images of a solar eclipse from space and described the view of Earth as "absolutely stunning." The mission serves as a critical precursor to future planned manned lunar landings under NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon.
The return journey was not without technical challenges. Reports indicate that issues with the spacecraft's toilet system forced the crew to utilize backup collection bags due to suspected ice blockages in the urine flush line. Additionally, NASA confirmed that the crew requested Uncrustables upon their return, a snack brand that has since offered them a lifetime supply.
While the mission represents a major milestone for human space exploration, questions regarding astronaut compensation have been raised. Despite the historic nature of the flight and the risks involved, the Artemis II astronauts are paid a base salary of approximately $152,000 annually. This figure is comparable to mid-career desk jobs and skilled trades positions in the United States, with no overtime or hazard pay designated for the mission.
Political figures have also weighed in on the achievement. President Donald Trump spoke with the crew on April 6, shortly after they completed their record-breaking flyby. Jared Isaacman, a billionaire astronaut and NASA official who has flown to space twice, defended the mission against critics of high-profile space travel.
On the technology front, the crew utilized Microsoft Surface Pro devices during their time in orbit. The mission coincides with broader discussions regarding Microsoft's investment in artificial intelligence and its impact on stock performance, though the astronauts' primary focus remained on the mission objectives.
The Artemis II crew is currently on a free return trajectory, preparing for re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. The successful completion of this mission is expected to pave the way for future lunar exploration and potential commercial activities in the "lunar economy," according to space industry analysts.