The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission received a spectacular welcome back to Earth, but the visuals from their return home told a more complicated story.
According to reports, four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — were seen struggling to walk after spending nearly 10 days in space.
The footage showed each astronaut being assisted by support staff as they carefully crossed the deck after landing. The wheelchair followed closely behind him as a precaution, even though none required it in the end.
The historic mission ends
The Artemis II mission marked a significant milestone in space exploration. The crew traveled over 252,000 miles from Earth, breaking the Apollo-era distance record, the AP reported.
Their spacecraft re-entered Earth’s atmosphere at speeds approaching 25,000 miles per hour before landing safely in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego.
NASA described the landing as a “perfect target”, underscoring the technical success of the mission.
The astronauts were then transferred to the USS John P. Murtha, where they were greeted by cheering teams and officials.
While images of astronauts struggling to walk surprised many, experts say it’s a well-documented effect of spending time in microgravity.
In space, the human body quickly adapts to weightlessness. But returning to Earth’s gravity can be physically demanding.
Prolonged exposure to microgravity can lead to:
- Balance and inner ear disorders
- Loss of muscle and reduced strength
- Decrease in bone density
- Nausea and disorientation
Studies show that astronauts can lose up to 20% of muscle mass in two weeks, while bone density can drop by up to 2% in a month, the New York Post reported.
This makes even basic movements – such as walking – temporarily difficult upon return.
Despite the visible strain, NASA officials assured that the crew is in good health.
Commander Reid Wiseman said all members were “stable” and “green”, indicating they were in good condition when they returned.
The astronauts are expected to undergo a series of physical tests, including obstacle courses, to assess how quickly they adjust to Earth’s gravity.
The Artemis II mission is historic for another reason—it is the first time humans have traveled near the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.
The crew captured unprecedented views of the far side of the Moon and even witnessed a total solar eclipse during the mission.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman described the mission as a deeply emotional moment, saying it was something he had “waited his whole life to see.”
