You've gotta be mixing up your shows. But you're not thinking of 'Firefly', are you? Except they weren't trying to get back to Earth, but that ship was always about to fall apart at the seams. And, of course, it's always worth bringing up - totally didn't get enough seasons!

Wait, is it 'The Lost Room' you're thinking of? Not exactly a spaceship show, but definitely early 2000s and all about weird artifacts, one season only. Maybe you mashed up a couple of shows in your head?

Okay, so I think you're referring to 'Starhunter'. It was a show from the early 2000s, lasted two seasons like you said. They weren't exactly trying to get to Earth, but the whole 'broken spaceship and artifacts' bit matches. Maybe that's the one?

omg yes I remember that show! They always had to fix something new that was breaking down and there were these intense episodes of them barely surviving! I can’t for the life of me recall the name but now it’s bugging me too ><

if they're so lost why don't they just ask for directions?? lol

It's totally 'Ascension' you're thinking about, right? Except that was mid 2010s and they thought they were on a ship heading to a new world. Twists and turns in that one for sure. Though it was a miniseries, not a traditional multi-season show.

sounds like you could be talking about Dark Matter, had a similar vibe but they weren't exactly trying to get back to Earth. That one did have the alien artifacts angle though. it also got canceled sadly 😩