Almost as soon as they arrived at the Moon, gravity started pulling the astronauts back home. The four-day homebound cruise ended with an on-target reentry, with the Orion capsule reaching a top speed of some 24,661 mph, just shy of the all-time human speed record set on the Apollo 10 mission returning from the Moon in 1969.

The Artemis II astronauts traveled farther than any humans before them, capturing striking views of the moon before a safe return to Earth.

The Orion crew module containing the four Artemis II astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Ocean Friday evening.

On Tuesday, April 7, the Artemis II crew will have a call with scientists to review their lunar observations while it is still fresh in their minds. NASA said that while robotic missions have captured photos, the human eye can see a lot more when it comes to dimension and color.

The Orion spacecraft carrying the Artemis II astronauts has entered Earth's atmosphere at speeds of nearly 40,000 km/h. Communications temporarily go dark as built-up, super-heated plasma turns the capsule into a fireball.

Artemis II live: NASA prepares for risky ‘13 minutes’ as astronauts ‘halfway’ back home - NASA crew described the awe they felt when witnessing a rare eclipse near the Moon’s far side

From bathroom and toilet to space food and sleeping bags, see how the Artemis crew rearranges the Orion spacecraft interior layout to make it home.

Last week, space enthusiasts from around the nation huddled together next to TVs, computers and, for some, looking up into the sky to see NASA’s historic Artemis II mission to […]