In Pictures: NASA's Orion capsule lands back on Earth

NASA’s Orion capsule made a blisteringly fast return from the moon Sunday, parachuting into the Pacific off Mexico to conclude a test flight that should clear the way for astronauts on the next lunar flyby.

NASA hailed the descent and splashdown as close to perfect, as congratulations poured in from Washington.

Video screens in the USS Portland command center show live feeds of the recovery operations as NASA's Orion Capsule splashes in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.

Orion was launched November 16 on the Artemis rocket for a 25-day mission to the Moon.

A member of the Air Force watches as NASA's Orion capsule makes its way towards the U.S.S. Portland (LPD 27) after being successfully secured by a NASA and U.S. Navy team, off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.

NASA's Orion Capsule is drawn to the well deck of the U.S.S. Portland after it splashed down following a successful uncrewed Artemis I Moon Mission.

Though the capsule encountered some unexpected communication blackouts and an electrical issue during its voyage around the moon, NASA has given high marks to the performance of both SLS and Orion so far, boasting that they exceeded the U.S. space agency's expectations.

NASA's Orion capsule floats in the well deck after being successfully secured by a NASA and U.S. Navy team, off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.

An Orion team member inspects NASA’s Orion capsule on the U.S.S. Portland (LPD 27) after being successfully secured, off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.

Screens show NASA's Orion Capsule secured in the well deck of the USS Portland. The main goal of this mission was to test Orion's heat shield -- for the day when it is humans and not test mannequins riding inside.