From Moon flyby to splashdown: Artemis II mission achieves major milestones

NASA’s Artemis II crew has safely returned to Earth after a historic lunar flyby, travelling farther than any humans before. The mission tested deep-space return systems and observed the moon’s south pole, advancing future lunar plans. Officials hailed its success, with goals to land astronauts by 2028. Amid global tensions, seasoned astronauts and experts say the achievement offers a rare moment of optimism and renewed focus on space exploration.