The four astronauts of Artemis II have safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after a successful nine-day journey around the Moon.
Travelling at over 24,000 mph, their Orion capsule endured extreme heat during re-entry, briefly losing contact with mission control before parachutes deployed for a precise landing. The flawless return marks a major step forward for NASA’s plans to send humans back to the lunar surface.
The Artemis II crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, were safely retrieved from their capsule and taken to the USS John P Murtha for medical checks before returning to Houston to reunite with their families. Officials praised the astronauts’ teamwork and spirit, calling the mission a success for all humanity, while Donald Trump welcomed them home and described the journey as “spectacular.”
The Artemis II began its final descent after the service module separated, with the Orion capsule re-entering Earth’s atmosphere at a precise angle to ensure a safe return. NASA said the trajectory was spot-on, avoiding risks of overheating or skipping off the atmosphere.
Engineers had adjusted the re-entry path following heat shield concerns from Artemis I, and the changes proved effective. The Artemis programme now moves closer to future Moon landings and long-term exploration.
Indian-American scientist rises to top NASA role
From watching rocket launches as a child in Houston to leading operations at NASA, Indian-American scientist Amit Kshatriya has built a distinguished career in space exploration.
As Associate Administrator, he is the agency’s highest-ranking civil servant and a senior advisor to Administrator Jared Isaacman.
Kshatriya oversees NASA’s centre directors and mission leadership, while also serving as the agency’s Chief Operating Officer.
Born to Indian immigrant parents, Amit Kshatriya studied mathematics at California Institute of Technology and the University of Texas at Austin. Raised around Houston, his interest in space grew from watching launches near Johnson Space Center.
After early roles in oil, gas and healthcare, he joined United Space Alliance in 2003, working across engineering and space station operations. He later served as a flight director and held leadership roles in the International Space Station programme before moving to NASA headquarters in 2021, where he contributed to the Artemis I mission.
Amit Kshatriya previously served as Deputy Associate Administrator for NASA’s Moon-to-Mars programme and was appointed Associate Administrator last year. He has received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and the Silver Snoopy Award for his contributions to space station operations and flight safety.
