America in Brief

Artermis II splashes down into the Pacific, Virginia bans ghost guns, and the Department of Education reverses gender identity policies.

The Artemis II crew capsule floats in the Pacific Ocean following splashdown in this screengrab from a livestream video after the Artemis II crew's flyby of the moon, April 10, 2026. NASA/Handout via Reuters

Artemis II Completes Historic Mission

Artemis II splashed down to Earth on April 10 after its historic 10-day trip around the dark side of the moon, marking the first time humanity had reached the moon in more than 50 years, having journeyed the furthest distance from Earth in history.

The three NASA astronauts, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean just off the coast of San Diego at 8:07 p.m. ET after nine days, one hour, 31 minutes, 31 seconds in space.