science
NASA's Artemis II Mission Crew Prepares for Pacific Ocean Splashdown After Lunar Flyby
NASA's Artemis II mission, featuring four astronauts, is concluding its 10-day journey around the Moon with a scheduled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego, California, on April 10. The mission marks the first crewed lunar flyby since 1972 and tests the Orion spacecraft's systems for future lunar landings. Live tracking and imagery from the mission are available through NASA's tools.
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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.
