Orion capsule splashes down in Pacific Ocean

NASA has successfully brought home its next-generation astronaut ship after a near-26-day mission to orbit the Moon.

NASA has successfully brought home its next-generation astronaut ship after a near-26-day mission to orbit the Moon.

The Orion capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.

There were no people aboard the test craft this time, but that will change for the next flight.

NASA is planning ever more complex missions with Orion starting in 2024 in an attempt to send humans back to the moon.

This was last achieved exactly 50 years ago to the day by the crew of Apollo 17.

Nasa Administrator Bill Nelson said he was overwhelmed to see the splashdown.