NASA's Artemis II Mission Crew Prepares for Pacific Ocean Splashdown After Lunar Flyby
The four astronauts of NASA's Artemis II mission, including Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, are scheduled to return to Earth via splashdown off the San Diego coast at 8:07 p.m. ET on April 10. The mission, a 10-day crewed test flight, looped around the moon to validate the Orion spacecraft's systems for future lunar operations.
nasa.govET to adjust the entry angle. ET at 400,000 feet altitude, with the spacecraft traveling at approximately 30 times the speed of sound. ET. ET to reduce velocity. ET in the Pacific Ocean off the San Diego coast. A Navy recovery vessel will assist in retrieving the crew and capsule, including medical evaluations, within two hours.
Post by @sentdefender on X
Context and Viewing Options Artemis II marks the first crewed lunar mission since 1972, taking the astronauts farther from Earth than any humans previously.
NASA's broadcast of the reentry and splashdown will be available on NASA+, YouTube, and third-party services including HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Peacock, and Netflix. Visibility from the ground may be limited due to daytime conditions and distance from shore, though the spacecraft could appear as a slow-moving shooting star if conditions allow.
The mission tests the Orion heat shield during reentry, one of the most intense phases of spaceflight. No contradictions appear across reports on timing or procedures, though exact visibility depends on weather.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- April 10, 8:07 p.m. ET
Orion capsule splashes down off San Diego coast with crew aboard.
5 sourcesCNN · Newsweek · @sentdefender · NYT - April 10, 7:53 p.m. ET
Orion reenters Earth's atmosphere at 400,000 feet and 30 times speed of sound.
2 sourcesCNN · Newsweek - April 10, 11:35 a.m. ET
Crew wakes up and begins reentry preparations inside Orion.
1 sourceCNN - April 1, 6:35 p.m. ET
Artemis II launches from Kennedy Space Center with four astronauts.
1 sourceNewsweek - During mission (unspecified)
Crew witnesses solar eclipse and receives call from President Trump.
1 sourceNYT
Potential Impact
- 01
Orion spacecraft systems validation supports Artemis III lunar landing preparations.
- 02
Successful heat shield test during reentry confirms deep-space crew safety.
- 03
Mission data collection advances NASA's sustained lunar presence goals.
- 04
Crew recovery procedures by Navy vessel inform future splashdown operations.
- 05
Released mission imagery aids public education on lunar exploration.
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
thehindu.comExplosion at China Fireworks Factory Kills 26 and Injures 61 in Hunan Province
An explosion at the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company in Liuyang city, Hunan province, killed at least 26 people and injured 61 on Monday afternoon. Rescue operations have concluded, with authorities detaining company staff and halting all local fireworks produ…
io9.gizmodo.comHantavirus Outbreak on MV Hondius Cruise Ship Prompts Three Evacuations and Monitoring
Eight cases of hantavirus, including three deaths, have been linked to passengers on the MV Hondius. The ship remains anchored off Cape Verde with about 150 people aboard while health officials conduct contact tracing and plan further screening in the Canary Islands.
972mag.comADL Audit: Antisemitic Incidents Drop 33% in 2025, But Physical Assaults Hit Record High and Three Killed
The Anti-Defamation League released its annual audit on May 6, 2026, documenting a sharp decline in overall antisemitic incidents across the United States during 2025. Physical assaults reached record levels with more than 300 victims and three deaths, the first such fatalities s…