Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMaroosha Muzaffar & Andrew GriffinThursday 09 April 2026 07:35 BSTNasa astronaut shares what he's 'most excited' about in the lunar missionThe Artemis II crew provided insights into their life and work aboard the Orion spacecraft after completing their orbit of the Moon.Astronauts described their mission as a “relay race” and expressed awe at witnessing an eclipse near the far side of the Moon, with one saying it “blew us all away”.The crew were reported to be in “high spirits” as they commenced their return journey to Earth following a record-breaking slingshot manoeuvre around the Moon.The mission’s lunar science lead Kelsey Young recounted the astronauts’ “screams of delight” upon observing impact flashes, which are brief bursts of light from space rocks hitting the lunar surface.The astronauts are anticipated to splash down in the Pacific on Friday, marking the conclusion of their test flight.Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in