NASA's initial takeaways from the Artemis II mission, and more science stories

Source: Engadget

Orion Heat Shield

NASA’s initial assessments of the crew capsule show its heat shield performed as expected, with no unusual conditions identified. Unlike the uncrewed Artemis I test, the shield did not exhibit as much char loss. Navy divers photographed the heat shield underwater after splashdown. The splashdown itself went according to plan, with Orion landing 2.9 mi from its targeted site, and the entry interface velocity was within one mph of predictions.

Space Launch System (SLS) Rocket

The SLS rocket also performed well. NASA noted that at main‑engine cutoff, when the core stage’s RS‑25 liquid engines shut down, the spacecraft was traveling over 18,000 mph, achieving its insertion velocity for orbit and hitting a precise bullseye for its intended location.

Toilet System Issue

Shortly after launch, the crew reported problems with the urine‑vent line. Mission specialist Christina Koch troubleshooted the issue with help from ground control. NASA is now reviewing hardware and data to determine the root cause and prevent recurrence on future missions.

Earthset Video

The Artemis II astronauts continued to share glimpses of their journey around the Moon. Mission commander Reid Wiseman posted an incredible video of Earth setting behind the Moon as seen from Orion—the first time humans have witnessed this phenomenon firsthand since the last Apollo mission.

Only one chance in this lifetime…
Like watching sunset at the beach from the most foreign seat in the cosmos, I couldn’t resist a cell‑phone video of Earthset. You can hear the shutter on the Nikon as @Astro_Christina is hammering away on 3‑shot brackets and capturing those…
— Reid Wiseman, 19 April 2026
View tweet

Post‑flight Adaptation

Returning to Earth poses challenges for the crew. After a ten‑day mission, astronaut Christina Koch posted a video of herself struggling through a tandem‑walk exercise with her eyes closed. She explained that microgravity disrupts the vestibular system, which normally informs the brain about movement. Upon return to gravity, the brain relies heavily on visual cues, making balance exercises difficult.