Cheers and relief filled NASA late Friday as four astronauts safely returned to Earth after completing a historic journey around the Moon — the first crewed lunar flyby in over five decades
The spacecraft, carrying three Americans and one Canadian, made a smooth splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, bringing an end to a landmark test mission that also delivered stunning images of the lunar surface.
Mission commander Reid Wiseman expressed excitement after touchdown, confirming that he and his fellow crew members — Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen — were in good shape.
“What a journey,” he said, noting that the team was “stable” and “green,” meaning all four astronauts were in excellent condition.
NASA official Rob Navias, who provided live commentary during the return, confirmed their status, explaining that the astronauts were “in great condition.”
Tension briefly rose during the expected communications blackout as the capsule re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, but relief quickly followed when contact was restored. “We have you loud and clear,” Wiseman said after reconnecting with mission control in Houston.
Recovery teams from NASA and the US military swiftly moved in to retrieve the crew from the floating capsule, drawing applause from those monitoring the mission.
The astronauts were later airlifted by helicopter to a recovery ship stationed off the Pacific coast near San Diego, where they were able to walk on their own.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman hailed the mission as flawless.
“We’re back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon,” he said. “This is just the beginning.”
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