Splashdown in the Mediterranean: Artemis II Astronauts’ Malta Connection

As the world watched, the Orion spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, marking the successful completion of NASA’s Artemis II mission. But did you know that one of the astronauts on board has a special connection to Malta?

Malta’s Own in Space

Dr. Frank Rubio, a NASA astronaut and colonel in the U.S. Army, was born in Miami but has strong Maltese roots. His mother, Antoinette, was born in Żebbuġ and moved to the U.S. as a child. Rubio has visited Malta multiple times, most recently in 2019, where he met with local dignitaries and even tried his hand at traditional Maltese pottery in the village of Żurrieq.

“It’s always great to come back to Malta,” Rubio said during his last visit. “It’s a part of my heritage, and I’m proud of it.” Little did he know that his next trip ‘home’ would be from space.

Artemis II: A Perfect Mission

The Artemis II mission was a resounding success, proving that NASA’s Orion spacecraft can safely carry astronauts to the Moon and back. The crew, which included Rubio, spent 25 days in space, orbiting the Moon and returning to Earth at speeds up to 25,000 mph.

Rubio, along with Commander Steve Bowen and fellow astronaut Waggoner, performed various tasks during the mission, including testing spacecraft systems, conducting science experiments, and even sharing updates with the public via social media.

Back to Earth with a Splash

The splashdown in the Pacific was a dramatic end to the mission, with the Orion spacecraft deploying its parachutes and splashing into the ocean off the coast of California. Recovery teams were quick to reach the capsule, pulling it onto a ship and opening the hatch to reveal the safe and healthy crew.

Rubio, now back on Earth, has expressed his gratitude for the support he received from Malta during his mission. “The outpouring of support from Malta has been incredible,” he said. “It’s humbling to know that people back home were cheering me on.”

As for what’s next, Rubio is already to future missions. “I’m proud to have been a part of Artemis II, but there’s still so much more to do. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”