A new era of space exploration has begun, after Artemis II successfully splashed down from its journey around the far side of the moon. 

The four astronauts returned 'happy and healthy' from their 10 day journey, careening safely down into the Pacific Ocean.

Former NASA scientist Dr Morgan Cable says she was pleased to see the mission went well - even with a few bumps in the road.

"Being able to understand how that can affect the crew, even on this shorter, 10-day mission, can really be helpful for understanding what it means to have a long-term human presence around the moon - or on the way to Mars."

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