Artemis II Crew Module Initiates Reentry Ahead of Scheduled Pacific Splashdown

The crew module of NASA's Artemis II mission has started its reentry into Earth's atmosphere. A six-minute blackout period is in effect during this phase. Splashdown is projected soon.

A P-3 Orion aircraft has acquired the trajectory of the reentry vehicle. The crew and service modules separated prior to reentry. The mission is set to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

The Artemis II mission, NASA's first crewed flight test under the Artemis program, launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The mission involved an orbit around the Moon without landing. The spacecraft, Orion, completed its lunar flyby and began the return journey.

Reentry preparations included separation of the service module, which provides propulsion and power during the flight. The crew module, designed to withstand reentry temperatures up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, is protected by an ablative heat shield.

teams are positioned in the Pacific Ocean for post-splashdown retrieval.

The P-3 Orion aircraft supports tracking and communication during descent. Officials expect the crew to exit the capsule after splashdown for medical checks. The Artemis program aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon by the end of the decade.

No injuries or anomalies were reported during the mission.