Return of the mission Artemis 2 to Earth, this Saturday (April 11, 2026), was marked by statements from the 4 astronauts – (commander), (pilot), (specialist) and (specialist)- about their experiences of the trip and the cooperation of the crew. In the event with NASA teams in Houston (USA), they highlighted the experience of becoming the humans who have strayed the furthest from Earth in history.
“We are a mirror reflecting you. If you like what you see, look a little deeper. This is you”said Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen about humanity’s collective effort behind the mission’s success. He highlighted that the team’s performance and joy were not individual merits, but a reflection of the potential of everyone who supported the journey.
Terra as a “life-saving ship”
Mission specialist Christina Koch reported on her view of the globe in contrast to the emptiness of deep space. “What hit me wasn’t necessarily just the Earth. It was all the darkness around it. The Earth was just this lifeboat suspended in the universe.”he declared.
For her, the experience redefined the concept of team, stating that the crew became a group “inescapably, beautifully, and devotedly bound.” She ended her speech with a global appeal: “Planet Earth, you are a crew” –meant to say that humanity shares a common destiny and depends on cooperation to face global challenges.
The “fear” of processing the deed
Pilot Victor Glover spoke about the difficulty of measuring the magnitude of what they experienced in the last 10 days. “I haven’t processed what we just did and I’m afraid to start trying.”said Glover, explaining that the gratitude of seeing what he saw is “too big to fit in just one body.”
Commander Reid Wiseman emphasized that, although the distance was historic, the final feeling was one of appreciation for what is common. “It was the most special thing that ever happened in my life”he reported, about the bond created between the astronauts.
When summarizing the journey, he stated that outside the planet his only desire is to return to his family and friends. “It’s a special thing to be human, and it’s a special thing to be on planet Earth.”these.
The Artemis 2 mission validated the life support and propulsion systems needed for NASA’s next step: the return of astronauts to the lunar surface, planned for 2028 with the Artemis 4 mission.
Artemis 2
The Artemis 2 mission, the first manned flight of NASA’s lunar program since 1972, was launched on April 1, 2026, from the Kennedy Space Center, in the USA. Four astronauts – Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency) – were aboard the Orion spacecraft, on a 10-day flight around the Moon.
The objective is to test Orion systems – including life support, communication and propulsion – and manned flight procedures around the Moon, in addition to evaluating the crew’s routine and performance in microgravity conditions. Astronauts conducted experiments, systems monitoring and navigation maneuvers in tests to ensure the safety and effectiveness of future lunar missions.
The mission to the Moon on Monday afternoon (April 6, 2026), when Orion carried out a 6-hour flyby around Earth’s natural satellite. During this phase, there was a blackout of around 40 minutes in communication with the team on the ground, caused by the capsule passing through the far side of the Moon.
Watch the moment of Artemis 2 launch (3min45s):
