The Orion capsule, nicknamed Integrity, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, concluding the Artemis II mission, as reported by CBC News during its live coverage. Splashdown was confirmed at 7:07 p.m. Central Time, marking the end of a ten-day mission.

Historic Canadian First

The mission marked the first time a Canadian astronaut has travelled to deep space, with Jeremy Hansen as part of the four-person crew. The broadcast highlighted the significance of Hansen’s participation. During the mission, the crew travelled around the far side of the moon and made an emotional request to name a new crater after a member of their astronaut family, Carol, who had recently passed away.

According to CBC News’s coverage, the Artemis II mission is vital preparation for a planned moon landing in 2028. The mission also aimed to gather crucial data on the biological impacts of deep space travel, including the effects of radiation, microgravity, and changes to the human brain and vision.

NASA equipped the Orion capsule with six new radiation sensors and utilized “Avatar” chips – organ chips containing cells from the astronauts – to study the effects of radiation and microgravity. Researchers are also tracking changes in the astronauts’ immune systems through saliva samples and monitoring their behavioral data with a specialized smartwatch called “Archer.”

Retired Canadian astronauts Chris Hadfield and Dr. Roberta Bondar appeared on CBC News following the splashdown. Hadfield described the mission as “inevitably easy” despite utilizing brand new technology, and expressed excitement to hear Hansen’s stories upon his return. Bondar emphasized the importance of Hansen’s role as a representative for Canada and the potential for his experience to inspire future generations of Canadian explorers. She also noted that Hansen’s vision improved during the flight due to the effects of microgravity.

The broadcast also included a segment on Canada’s labour market, reporting a 6.7% unemployment rate in March, with the addition of 14,000 new jobs, though this was offset by over 100,000 jobs lost earlier in the year. A report from Calgary highlighted challenges for young workers entering the job market.