The space capsule Artemis returned to Earth late Friday, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis II was NASA’s first crewed mission to the moon in more than 50 years. It’s a reminder that America is at its best when it is pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers.

Artemis II was launched on April 1 on a 10-day mission with four astronauts aboard. Its object was to fly around the moon as a test flight for future missions to return humans there on a more permanent basis than was achieved by the Apollo missions half a century ago. This is the first crewed mission outside of Earth’s orbit since 1972.