• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
ABC News

'Welcome home, Artemis': Crew celebrates historic 10-day moon mission

PHOTO: (L-R) NASA's Artemis II mission astronauts Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist Christina Koch, pilot Victor Glover and commander Reid Wiseman attend a welcoming ceremony in Houston, Texas, on April 11, 2026.
3:01
Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images
Artemis II crew arrives back to Houston after the dramatic Pacific splashdown
By Mary Kekatos, Julia Jacobo, Leah Sarnoff, Ivan Pereira, Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: April 3, 2026, 12:04 AM

NASA's Artemis II mission lifted off on April 1 at 6:35 p.m. ET from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The four-person crew completed a 695,081-mile, 10-day journey around the moon, also known as a lunar fly-by.

A "textbook" splashdown took place at 8:07 p.m. ET on Friday, April 10.

Key Headlines

  • Crew makes 1st appearance since return from historic mission
  • 'Welcome home, Artemis': Jubilant and emotional, crew speaks out on historic moon mission
  • Trump says he will welcome Artemis II crew to White House 'soon'
  • NASA officials hail 'new era' of space exploration after successful mission
  • Crew members hoisted into helicopters
  • All 4 crew members out of the capsule
Here's how the news is developing.

Apr 03, 2026 12:04 AM

Translunar injection burn successfully completed

The translunar injection burn has been completed successfully. The Artemis II crew is on its way to the moon.

The crew received two caution indicators on their screen but determined it required no action and proceeded with the burn.

PHOTO: A visualization of the Orion spacecraft in space.
NASA
A visualization of the Orion spacecraft in space.
NASA

The burn occurred on time at the one day, one hour and 14-minute mark for the mission, according to Mission Control.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman was in Mission Control during the TLI burn.


Apr 02, 2026 11:54 PM

Translunar injection burn is underway

The translunar injection burn is underway. The Orion spacecraft is now committed to its journey to the moon.


Apr 02, 2026 11:36 PM

Houston is a 'go' for crucial translunar injection burn

Mission Control in Houston has given the final “go” for the translunar injection burn. The Artemis II crew said they are a “go” for the burn.

Mission Control told the astronauts, “When the engine ignites, you embark on humanity’s lunar homecoming arc and set the course to return Integrity and her crew safely home. Houston is go for TLS.”

Astronaut Christina Koch replied, “Crew is go for TLI. With this burn to the moon, we do not leave Earth, we choose it."

-ABC News' Matthew Glasser



Apr 02, 2026 9:58 PM

Breaking down Artemis II moon mission terms, jargon and what they mean

Following the path of Artemis II may be confusing as the astronauts, mission control and others use specific jargon and phrases.

Here are explanations of some of the terminology people may hear over the course of the mission:

Translunar injection burn

The translunar injection burn is the final step that sends the crew on the path to the moon, committing the Orion spacecraft to the remainder of its 10-day mission.

Lasting just minutes, it's a single-engine firing that propels the spacecraft out of Earth's orbit and on a "free-return trajectory."

PHOTO: NASA launched a new space toilet, the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS).
NASA
NASA launched a new space toilet, the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS), to the International Space Station on Northrop Grumman’s 14th contract resupply mission in September. Another UWMS unit will be installed in Orion for the Artemis II flight test that will send astronauts on a 10-day mission beyond the Moon and back.
NASA

Universal waste management system

The universal waste management system, otherwise known as a space toilet, is located inside a stall just like in a public restroom on Earth, according to NASA.

Space toilets use air flow to pull urine and feces away and into receptacles, which are stored for disposal. The astronauts have a handlebar to hold themselves down while using the toilet in the absence of gravity.

Read more here about the terms and jargon you may come across during the Artemis II mission.


Apr 01, 2026 4:38 PM

How NASA plans to keep astronauts safe during the Artemis II mission

Despite all the preparation, safety systems and redundancies, the nature of human spaceflight is inherently risky, according to experts.

"I think it'd make everybody feel comfortable to say that all the risk was knocked down to zero," Danny Olivas, former NASA astronaut and engineer, told ABC News. "The truth is it is not and never will be."

PHOTO: NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, March 30, 2026, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Bill Ingalls/NASA/AFP via Getty Images
NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, March 30, 2026, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Bill Ingalls/NASA/AFP via Getty Images

NASA is using a variety of tools and systems to ensure crew safety from launch to splashdown, including customized lifesaving spacesuits, a launch abort system, radiation monitoring, an emergency egress system and other contingencies.

Read more here.

-ABC News' Briana Alvarado


GMA Newsletters

Sign up for our newsletters to get GMA delivered to your inbox every morning!

Up Next in news

PHOTO: Gas station clerk Abdulrahman Abohatem speaks to ABC affiliate WXYZ.

Gas station clerk speaks out after foiling alleged kidnapping

April 15, 2026
PHOTO: Pauls Valley High School principal Kirk Moore took down a shooter in the halls after shots were fired.

Oklahoma high school principal takes down would-be shooter, hailed as hero

April 15, 2026
VIDEO: American influencer found dead in Tanzania

American influencer found dead in Tanzania

April 15, 2026

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News