Artemis II moved into another critical phase of its return journey as the crew began Flight Day 8 with a focus on testing systems and preparing for reentry.
Aboard the Orion spacecraft, named Integrity, the four astronauts woke to music and a message from the Canadian Space Agency. At the start of the day, they were about 200,278 miles from Earth and 83,549 miles from the Moon, steadily closing the distance after their lunar flyby.
The crew, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, began the day with their routine exercise session. Using a flywheel device, they performed a mix of aerobic and resistance workouts designed to counter the physical effects of microgravity. The system relies on a cable-based mechanism that enables movements such as rowing, squats and deadlifts.
art002e013367 (April 7, 2026) – The Artemis II crew – (clockwise from left) Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Pilot Victor Glover – take time out for a group hug inside the Orion spacecraft on their way home. Following a swing around the far side of the Moon on April 6, 2026, the crew exited the lunar sphere of influence (the point at which the Moon’s gravity has a stronger pull on Orion than the Earth’s) on April 7, and are headed back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10. The crew was selected in April 2023, and have been training together for their mission for the past three years. Image Credit: NASA
Attention then shifted to a key physiological test.
Each astronaut is scheduled to evaluate an orthostatic intolerance garment worn beneath the Orion Crew Survival System suit. The garment is designed to help regulate blood pressure and circulation as the body readjusts to gravity. After extended periods in space, some astronauts experience dizziness or fainting when standing, a condition linked to reduced cardiovascular adaptation. The compression provided by the garment aims to reduce that risk and support a smoother transition during landing and recovery.
Later in the day, the crew is expected to speak with media following their recent journey around the Moon. NASA said journalists must confirm participation in advance to join the scheduled call. To join the call virtually, media must RSVP no later than 1 p.m.
Operational testing will continue into the evening.
After their midday meal, the astronauts will take manual control of Orion for another piloting demonstration. Using the spacecraft’s forward viewing window, they will align with a designated target and guide the capsule into a tail-to-Sun orientation. The exercise is intended to gather additional data on Orion’s handling characteristics and its guidance, navigation and control systems.
Maintaining that orientation also helps regulate thermal conditions and supports efficient power generation through solar exposure. Similar piloting exercises were carried out earlier in the mission, including during proximity operations testing.
Preparation for the final phase of the mission is already underway.
Crew members and flight controllers are expected to begin configuring the cabin for reentry, securing equipment and installing seats ahead of splashdown. NASA said teams decided to skip a previously planned shielding deployment demonstration in order to prioritize entry readiness.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is targeting splashdown at 8:07 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 10, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Officials said updates on weather and recovery operations will continue through daily mission briefings broadcast on the agency’s official channels.
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Naresh Kumar