NASA's Artemis II Mission Crew Prepares for Pacific Ocean Splashdown After Lunar Flyby

The astronauts captured imagery of a setting Earth and a solar eclipse, which the White House and NASA released to the public.

Officials named a Moon crater after a family member of the commander, who died in 2020, during an emotional exchange with mission control in Houston. Officials called the crew to congratulate them on their journey, highlighting the mission's role in broader lunar and Mars plans.

NASA provides real-time tracking via the Artemis Real-time Orbit Website (AROW) and a mobile app, which displays the spacecraft's location, speed, and distance from Earth and the Moon.

The app includes an augmented reality feature for visualizing Orion's position relative to Earth. Data is updated from sensors on the spacecraft to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, with tracking available from liftoff through reentry.

The mission began with the astronauts' assignment, involving their families from the outset.

Families of the Artemis II crew described the experience as integral to the mission, with preparations starting well before launch. Public interactions included the crew sharing observations from the far side of the Moon, contributing to outreach efforts. Splashdown recovery operations are coordinated for the Pacific Ocean landing near California.

The event can be viewed live through NASA broadcasts. This concludes the Artemis II objectives, paving the way for Artemis III, a planned crewed Moon landing.