Toronto celebrates return of Artemis II astronauts

Dozens of space enthusiasts at the University of Toronto watched as the Artemis II capsule safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, marking the first human voyage near the Moon in over 50 years. The event, which drew applause and celebration, also highlighted Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen becoming the first from his country to travel toward the Moon.

Kyaw Soe Oo/Reuters

11 April 2026 at 05:34:03

A screengrab photo in video showing people watching Orion Splashdown at the University of Toronto.

Reuters

Dozens of space enthusiasts gathered at the University of Toronto on Friday (April 10) to watch as the Artemis II capsule and its four-member crew safely returned to Earth, capping the first voyage by humans to the vicinity of the moon in over half a century.

The event, hosted by the Let’s Talk Science charitable organization, drew a small but energetic crowd that erupted in applause as Orion, the Artemis II crew capsule, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. Attendees joined lunar‐themed activities, from paper‐parachute building to orbit‐simulation games.

“The room was absolutely quiet as we waited, and we watched that. And as soon as they splashed down, the room exploded in applause,” said science communicator Swapna Mylabathula.

The mission carried added meaning for Canadians, with astronaut Jeremy Hansen becoming the first from the country to fly towards the moon.

-Kyaw Soe Oo/Reuters

Space enthusiasts gathered at the University of Toronto to witness the safe return of NASA’s Orion (spacecraft) from the Artemis II mission, marking the first human journey toward the Moon’s vicinity in over half a century. The event also highlighted a milestone for Canada, with astronaut Jeremy Hansen becoming the first Canadian to travel in a lunar-bound mission profile, as attendees celebrated the historic splashdown with applause and science-themed activities.