Artemis II Crew Prepares For Fiery Pacific Splashdown
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HOUSTON: NASA's Artemis II crew said on Wednesday they will re-enter Earth's atmosphere and splash down off Southern California on April 10 after completing a far-side lunar flyby. Four astronauts have been aboard the Orion capsule since launching from Florida earlier this week and will test reentry systems. NASA stated the capsule will reach speeds up to 23,839 mph, subjecting Orion's heatshield to intense friction during a high-risk reentry expected Friday evening; the USS John P. Murtha sailed April 7 to await a parachute-assisted splashdown at about 8:06 p.m. EDT and to recover the crew.
Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.
Aggregated From:
Timeline of Events
- 3 April 2023 — Crew assigned to Artemis II (assignment cited by crew).
- Early April 2026 — Artemis II launched from Florida and proceeded toward lunar flyby.
- By early April 2026 — Crew completed far-side lunar flyby, becoming farthest-flying humans.
- 7 April 2026 — USS John P. Murtha departed San Diego to position for recovery.
- 8–10 April 2026 — Crew held press conference (Apr 8) and projected parachute-assisted splashdown set for Apr 10 at ~8:06 p.m. EDT.
Why This Matters to You
This mission tests reentry systems, crucial for astronaut safety. It's also a stepping stone for future lunar missions, potentially opening up new opportunities in space exploration. If you're a space enthusiast, keep an eye on NASA's updates.
The Bottom Line
Artemis II's successful splashdown will mark a significant milestone in space travel. It's a testament to human ingenuity and our quest to explore the cosmos. Worth forwarding if you know someone who's fascinated by space exploration.
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NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, and contractors obtained flight-test data and operational experience for future deep-space missions, including heatshield performance, suit evaluations, and manual-control verification.
Astronauts and recovery personnel faced increased risk during the high-velocity atmospheric reentry, which placed stress on Orion's heatshield and exposed crews to potential reentry hazards.
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Artemis II Crew Prepares For Fiery Pacific Splashdown
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