Over the moon: Artemis II astronauts make emotional homecoming after record trip

AdvertisementUnited StatesWorldUnited States & CanadaOver the moon: Artemis II astronauts make emotional homecoming after record tripThe travellers were back in Texas on the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 13 launch that made the phrase ‘Houston, we have a problem’ famous 3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenAssociated PressPublished: 6:20am, 12 Apr 2026Still marvelling over their moon mission, the Artemis II astronauts received a thunderous welcome home on Saturday from hundreds who took part in Nasa’s lunar comeback that set a record for deep space travel. The crew of four arrived at Ellington Field near Nasa’s Johnson Space Centre and Mission Control, flying in from San Diego where they splashed down just offshore the evening before. After a quick reunion with their spouses and children, the astronauts took the hangar stage, surrounded by space centre workers and other invited guests. AdvertisementThe crowd included Nasa Administrator Jared Isaacman, flight directors and the launch director, Orion capsule and exploration system managers, high-ranking military officers, members of Congress, the space agency’s entire blue-suited astronaut corps and even retired ones, and more. “The long wait is over. After a brief 53-year intermission, the show goes on,” Isaacman said. “Ladies and gentlemen, your Artemis II crew,” he added, as the crowd stood, applauded and cheered. Splashdown of Artemis II astronauts concludes mission to vicinity of moon Splashdown of Artemis II astronauts concludes mission to vicinity of moonCommander Reid Wiseman and his US-Canadian crew’s homecoming was poignant: they returned to their Houston home base on the 56th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 13, whose “Houston, we’ve had a problem” refrain turned a near-disaster into triumph. AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x