Artemis II Crew Shares Heartfelt Messages Before Splashdown
As the Artemis II mission nears its conclusion, the crew sent touching messages to their families on the last day of their groundbreaking 10-day lunar journey, just ahead of Friday’s anticipated splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
The four astronauts, who launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, conveyed their love for their children, nieces, and nephews during a Thursday call with Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, and other congressional members.
Commander Reed Wiseman was the first to express his feelings, telling his daughters, Ellie and Katie, how much he loved them and praising their support, which he called “incredible.”
He remarked, “When we started, I don’t think they fully grasped what this mission was about. But they’ve come to understand through all the public support, the encouragement from friends, and, of course, family.” He added, “The world has truly come together. We’ve observed that, and it’s been reflected in their eyes.”
Wiseman described feeling immense pride seeing the joy on his daughters’ faces during their private conversations as they communicated throughout the mission.
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen shared a more personal reflection, stating he learns from his kids, Devon, Ashley, and Kaitlyn. He offered this advice: “I think it’s important to remember that each day, you should just aim to do your best, find joy, and contribute positively.” He noted that perfection can often place undue pressure on individuals.
Christina Koch, the only woman on the mission, expressed gratitude to her nine nieces and nephews for their letters and drawings. “You created a beautiful depiction of Earth and a rocket, which really touched my mission and made me feel connected to you,” she noted.
Pilot Victor Glover shared his enthusiasm for supporting his four children—Genesis, Maya, Gioia, and Corinne. “We’ve spent years coaching you, and now we’re really transitioning into the role of cheerleaders in your lives,” he said.
He also encouraged young aspiring astronauts: “We hope our mission provides you with something meaningful to carry in your heart and mind, not just to watch what we do, but to help you articulate your own vision of the world.”
The Artemis II crew took inspiration from Apollo 8’s approach to naming lunar features during their journey back to Earth, dedicating a crater to Wiseman’s late wife, Carol, who tragically passed away from cancer in 2020. Wiseman expressed that this tribute was a significant moment for him during the mission.
Historically, Jim Lovell honored his wife by naming a lunar peak Mount Marilyn in 1968, with several craters named for Lovell and his Apollo 8 crew members.
The Orion capsule is set to splash down off the coast of San Diego around 8:07 p.m., where the crew will be retrieved by the USS John P. Murtha.
