Artemis II Crew Returns After Historic 690,000-Mile Moon Trip

Four astronauts are back on Earth after traveling farther than any human in more than half a century, and they can't stop talking about the view.

The Artemis II crew—NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen—returned April 10 after a 10-day journey that took them more than 690,000 miles around the moon. Speaking on Good Morning America Thursday, the team reflected on a mission that tested crucial spacecraft systems for future moon landings.

"I'm still just overjoyed that people connected with this mission so much," said Glover, the mission's pilot. "We really wanted that, and it's great to see that it happened."

The mission wasn't just about distance records. Artemis II paved the way for Artemis IV, planned for 2028, which aims to land astronauts near the moon's South Pole for the first time.

Hansen made history as the first Canadian to travel to deep space. Twenty days after splashdown, he still marvels at what they witnessed through the spacecraft windows.

"We saw all the things—the Earth up close, and then it would get further away and get smaller," Hansen recalled. Every time one of them spotted Earth in a window, the entire crew would gather to look. "Magnificent," he said simply.

Koch, a mission specialist, has spent the past three weeks processing the experience. "I think we've all taken most of our time to really just solidify, to process, to give back, to just feel grateful for the teams that put this together," she said.

The crew had an unofficial fifth member aboard. Rise, a plush toy designed by 8-year-old Lucas Ye from California, served as their zero gravity indicator, floating when they reached weightlessness.

Lucas got to ask the crew a question during their appearance. Commander Wiseman explained that NASA's Goddard Space Center custom-made Rise from flame-retardant materials for safety. "Our Rise became our mascot. We love that little guy," Wiseman said.

The Ripple Effect

The Artemis II mission represents more than four astronauts going farther than anyone in decades. Teams of engineers, scientists, and support staff worked for years to make this journey possible, developing technology that will enable sustained human presence on the moon.

Their success means the next generation won't just read about moon exploration in history books. Within two years, humans could be walking on lunar soil again, conducting science near the South Pole where ice deposits might support future bases.

Glover, who turned 50 on the day of the interview, knows exactly how he wants to spend his immediate future. "I have a lot to process from those 10 days still," he said. As a father of four daughters, he plans to focus on family and loved ones while reflecting on the journey.

The crew came back as more than colleagues—they returned as best friends who shared an experience few humans will ever know.