They're nearing the end of their historic trip around the dark side of the moon - but the most dangerous part of NASA's Artemis II mission is yet to come.

The Artemis II crew are on their way back home after travelling farther into space than any humans in history. The final stage of the mission is perilous - track Orion's journey and follow the astronauts' preparations for re-entry below.

The Artemis II crew is set to return to Earth on Friday during a splashdown off the coast of California, near San Diego.

Thursday marked the Artemis II crew's final full day in space. They are now preparing for reentry to Earth with NASA expressing confidence in the ship's heat shield. CBS News senior national correspondent Mark Strassmann has more.

NASA officials expressed confidence in the Orion capsule’s heatshield and thermal protection system as the Artemis II crew prepares to splash down into the Pacific Ocean on Friday. “Tomorrow the crew is going to put their lives behind that confidence,

Despite problems during the unpiloted Artemis I reentry, the Artemis II crew is confident their heat shield will protect them during a fiery descent to Earth on Friday.

NASA mission managers hold a briefing as the crew prepares for tomorrow night's scheduled splashdown. The Artemis II team is finishing a historic 10-day lunar journey, marking the first time humans have seen the Moon up close since 1972.

Astronauts onboard the Artemis II mission are getting ready to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in the last leg of their 10-day mission. Experts say this may be the most dangerous part of their mission