The Orion capsule, nicknamed Integrity, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday at 7:07 p.m. Central Time, concluding the Artemis II mission, as reported by CBC News during its live coverage. The mission lasted nine days, one hour, 32 minutes, and 15 seconds.

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 crew flew past the far side of the moon and collected data during the journey. According to CBC News’ broadcast, Hansen communicated with Canada during the mission, expressing pride in representing the country.

Mission Highlights & Reactions

The broadcast featured highlights from the mission, including the launch, the flyby of the far side of the moon, and the emotional moment when the crew requested a new crater on the moon be named after a member of their astronaut family, Carol, the mother of astronaut Katie.

Retired Canadian astronauts Chris Hadfield and Dr. Roberta Bonder appeared on CBC News following the splashdown. Hadfield described the mission as “exquisitely hard” and praised the crew for making a complex undertaking appear “inevitably easy.” Bonder emphasized the international collaboration that made the mission successful.

Other News Covered

During the broadcast, CBC News also reported on several other developing stories:

  • Prince Harry Lawsuit: Prince Harry is facing a defamation lawsuit from an African charity he co-founded to honour his late mother, Princess Diana.
  • Canadian Federal Politics: The Liberal Party is nearing a majority government following recent floor crossings, with by-elections scheduled for Monday. According to Ashley Burke, reporting from the Liberal convention in Montreal, the party is in talks with other MPs about potentially joining their ranks.
  • High-Speed Rail Proposal: A proposed high-speed rail line between Toronto and Quebec City is facing backlash from rural communities concerned about potential disruptions to farmland. Aalto, the Crown Corporation overseeing the project, states it will seek to minimize disruptions and provide fair compensation.
  • Canadian Job Market: Canada’s unemployment rate remained at 6.7% in March, with the addition of 14,000 jobs. However, the broadcast reported that over 95,000 jobs have been lost in Canada this year, with younger workers facing particularly tough competition in the job market.
  • China's Renewable Energy Push: The broadcast also included a segment on China’s increasing reliance on renewable energy sources, specifically wind and solar power, noting that the combined capacity of these sources has surpassed coal.

Update — 10:52

Following the splashdown, CBC News broadcast interviews with retired Canadian astronauts Chris Hadfield and Dr. Roberta Bondar. Hadfield described the mission as “exquisitely hard” and praised the crew for making a complex undertaking appear “inevitably easy.” Bondar emphasized the importance of Hansen as a representative for Canada, stating he represents “the best that we have of a generation and a best that we have of an explorer.”

The broadcast also detailed the scientific aspects of the mission, including the use of six new radiation sensors on the Orion capsule and the “Avatar” program, which involves comparing astronaut blood samples taken in space and on Earth to study the effects of radiation and microgravity. NASA is also studying the effects of space travel on the immune system, collecting saliva samples from the crew.

Additionally, CBC News reported on a potential partnership with China’s Envision company to integrate AI-managed wind hubs into the Canadian wilderness, a proposal discussed with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Concerns were raised regarding potential security risks associated with relying on Chinese technology for Canada’s energy grid.