Artemis II Astronauts: 'We Will Always Choose Earth'

The Artemis II astronauts are now en route back to Earth following their unprecedented journey around the moon's far side. This mission marked a significant milestone, as Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen became the first humans in over half a century to witness the lunar far side.

During their six-hour lunar flyby, the Orion capsule achieved a staggering 252,756 miles from Earth, surpassing previous records. The crew experienced a tense 40-minute period of lost communication as the moon blocked Earth's radio signals. Upon regaining contact, Christina Koch shared a profound message, stating, 'we will always choose Earth, we will always choose each other.'

The astronauts meticulously documented their observations of the far side's unique, heavily cratered terrain, noting striking geometric patterns and unexpected colors. They even requested to name two newly spotted craters: 'Integrity' for their capsule and 'Carroll' in memory of Reid Wiseman's late wife.

With the lunar flyby successfully completed, the Orion capsule is now riding Earth's gravity back home, with splashdown expected this Friday. The mission not only tested deep-space systems but also reignited a sense of possibility for future exploration and underscored humanity's enduring connection to our home planet.