Why does Artemis II use a free-return path around the Moon?

Answer: It helps Orion come home if later burns fail

It helps Orion come home if later burns fail ✓ — Correct! A free-return trajectory swings Orion around the Moon and naturally sends it back toward Earth, giving the mission an extra safety margin.

It makes landing on the Moon easier — Wrong. Artemis II is not a landing mission, so this path is not about making a landing easier.

It avoids all deep-space radiation — Wrong. Free-return helps with trajectory safety, not with eliminating radiation exposure.