Artemis II: NASA’s historical moon mission unites space fans far and wide
Space fans have turned out en masse to witness the safe return to Earth of NASA’s Artemis II following a spectacular 10-day journey around the moon.
The raw emotion on the faces of onlookers was palpable, as the captivating event caught the world’s attention.
The Orion splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at 8.07am Perth time on Saturday with NASA labelling the landing as “textbook” and a “perfect bullseye”.
The four astronauts — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and specialists Jeremy Hensen and Christina Koch — were one by one led out of the capsule about one hour after it splashed down off the Californian coast.
They are all doing okay and are undergoing a medical evaluation aboard the Navy ship USS John P Murtha.
Here are some incredible photos of the splash down and recovery of the Orion and the crew taken by NASA photographers, as well as the reaction from avid space followers.
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: People watch during a live broadcast as crew members are recovered from the Orion spacecraft after splashdown during an Artemis II splashdown party at the Columbia Memorial Space Center on April 10, 2026 in Downey, California. NASA's Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II crew members returned from the moon with a dramatic splashdown into the Pacific Ocean today. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Mario Tama Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - APRIL 10: A general view inside the stadium during the delayed start due to Artemis II returning to Earth prior to the game between the Orlando Storm and the Louisville Kings at Lynn Family Stadium on April 10, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/UFL/Getty Images) Dylan Buell/UFL Picture: Dylan Buell/UFL/Getty Images
People watch a live broadcast of the return of the Artemis II crew members to Earth at the San Diego Air and Space Museum during a watch party for the crew's splash down in the Pacific Ocean, in San Diego, California, on April 10, 2026. The NASA spacecraft carrying four astronauts splashed down as planned Friday off the California coast, capping the US space agency's successful crewed test mission around the Moon, the first such flyby in more than 50 years. Mission commander Reid Wiseman reported that the crewmembers -- himself along with Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen -- were "stable" and "green." (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP) APU GOMES Picture: APU GOMES/AFP
A young boy wearing an astronaut costume cheers next to a woman waving a flag as they watch a live broadcast of the return of the Artemis II crew members to Earth at the San Diego Air and Space Museum during a watch party for the crew's splash down in the Pacific Ocean, in San Diego, California, on April 10, 2026. The NASA spacecraft carrying four astronauts splashed down as planned Friday off the California coast, capping the US space agency's successful crewed test mission around the Moon, the first such flyby in more than 50 years. Mission commander Reid Wiseman reported that the crewmembers -- himself along with Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen -- were "stable" and "green." (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP) APU GOMES Picture: APU GOMES/AFP
People watch a live broadcast of the return of the Artemis II crew members to Earth at the San Diego Air and Space Museum during a watch party for the crew's splash down in the Pacific Ocean, in San Diego, California, on April 10, 2026. The NASA spacecraft carrying four astronauts splashed down as planned Friday off the California coast, capping the US space agency's successful crewed test mission around the Moon, the first such flyby in more than 50 years. Mission commander Reid Wiseman reported that the crewmembers -- himself along with Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen -- were "stable" and "green." (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP) APU GOMES Picture: APU GOMES/AFP
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 10: Fans watch the landing of Artemis II during the second half of a basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Detroit Pistons at Spectrum Center on April 10, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) David Jensen Picture: David Jensen/Getty Images
