The crew of Artemis II safely returned to Earth on Friday evening, splashing down at 7:07 p.m. Central Time, marking the first crewed return from the moon since 1972, as reported by CBC News. The mission included an unprecedented flyby of the far side of the moon.

Crew Experiences & Emotional Moment

During the mission, the crew experienced a period of radio blackout while traveling behind the moon, which was described as a “surreal moment” by the astronauts. While out of contact with Earth, the crew made an emotional request to NASA to name a newly discovered crater on the moon after Carol Joseph Reed, the mother of astronaut Katie Reed. The broadcast detailed that there were “tears and hugs” onboard the Orion capsule during this moment.

Scientific Research & Data Collection

Artemis II was not only a feat of exploration but also a crucial scientific endeavor. The mission aimed to gather data on the biological impacts of deep space travel, including the effects of radiation, lack of gravity, and changes to brain function 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 to the astronauts’ immune systems and mental states through saliva samples and a “space age smart watch” called Archer, which monitors behavioral data.

According to Dr. Roberta Bondar, a retired Canadian astronaut who appeared on the CBC broadcast, the data collected will be invaluable for future missions and could have applications for medical treatments on Earth. She emphasized the importance of Jeremy Hansen’s role as a representative of Canadian expertise and exploration.

International Collaboration

The success of the mission was highlighted as a testament to international collaboration, with the European Service Module playing a key role. Chris Hadfield, another retired Canadian astronaut, noted the flawless execution of the mission, stating that it “looked like it was inevitably easy.” He also expressed excitement about the lessons learned from Artemis II being applied to future lunar missions and vehicle improvements.