Journey back to the Moon

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Hansen is hoisted into a helicopter following the recovery of the Artemis II crew from the Orion spacecraft after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast. — Nasa/AFP

Artemis II astronauts, Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen, have completed a historic journey designed to pave the way for future lunar landings.

(From left) Wiseman, Koch, Glover and Hansen take questions during a video conference with media following their historic mission. — Nasa/AP

Nasa’s Artemis II Moon rocket roaring to life as it lifts off from Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, marking the start of its journey beyond Earth. — AP

A selection of specially prepared meals that sustained the Artemis II crew during their journey in space, offering a glimpse into life aboard the mission. — AFP

Flight controllers tracking the Orion spacecraft from the White Flight Control Room at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, monitoring every stage of its mission in deep space. — Getty Images/AFP

A young boy dressed as an astronaut cheering alongside a woman waving a flag as they and others watch a live broadcast of the Artemis II crew’s return during a splashdown watch party at the San Diego Air and Space Museum in California. — AFP

Spectators holding their breath as they watch the Artemis II Orion capsule splash down off the coast of California. — Reuters

Glover and Koch are presented with customised ship hats aboard the ‘USS John P. Murtha’ after their Artemis II Moon flyby mission. — Reuters

Photography trainers Paul Reichart and Kristina Willoughby, who prepared the Artemis II crew to capture images of the Moon during their mission, reflecting on their role behind the scenes of the historic flight. — Reuters