Artemis II astronauts recount rare eclipse: ‘Blew us all away’

WorldSpace
9 Apr 2026 • 2:35 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • The Artemis II crew provided insights into their life and work aboard the Orion spacecraft after completing their orbit of the Moon.
  • Astronauts described their mission as a “relay race” and expressed awe at witnessing an eclipse near the far side of the Moon, with one saying it “blew us all away”.
  • The crew were reported to be in “high spirits” as they commenced their return journey to Earth following a record-breaking slingshot manoeuvre around the Moon.
  • The mission’s lunar science lead Kelsey Young recounted the astronauts’ “screams of delight” upon observing impact flashes, which are brief bursts of light from space rocks hitting the lunar surface.
  • The astronauts are anticipated to splash down in the Pacific on Friday, marking the conclusion of their test flight.