Artemis II Splashdown: The Crew Returns from Deep Space Tonight

Tonight marks a pivotal milestone in human spaceflight. After a flawless 10-day journey that included the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years, NASA’s Artemis II mission reaches its dramatic conclusion with the Orion capsule’s splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego. Set for approximately 8:07 p.m. EDT, this ocean landing caps a test flight that pushes the boundaries of deep-space exploration and sets the stage for future lunar landings.

A Landmark Mission Comes Full Circle

The Crew That Made History

Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen launched aboard the SLS rocket on April 1, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center. They completed a record-setting lunar flyby on April 6, traveling farther from Earth than any humans since Apollo 13. The team tested Orion’s systems in the harsh environment of deep space while conducting science observations on the Moon’s far side.

Source: NASA

This portrait captures the unity and expertise of the international crew, whose successful mission validates the hardware for the Artemis program’s next steps.

Precision Engineering for a Safe Return

Orion will hit Earth’s atmosphere at nearly 25,000 miles per hour, enduring peak heating of around 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit during a roughly six-minute communications blackout. Two sets of parachutes will then deploy to slow the capsule for its targeted splashdown near the California coast. Five orange airbags will inflate to flip the spacecraft upright, allowing recovery teams aboard the USS John P. Murtha and Navy helicopters to secure the crew.

Source: NASA

The advanced design of Orion, including its heat shield and recovery systems, proved itself on this flight and will directly inform crewed landings on the Moon in coming years.

How to Watch the Live Coverage

NASA+ begins live coverage of the reentry and splashdown at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Tune in to witness the capsule’s fiery descent, parachute deployment, and ocean touchdown in real time.

Watch the Artemis II Reentry and Splashdown Live Stream

Source: NASA

Scenes like this from prior Orion tests show exactly what recovery teams will see tonight as they bring the crew safely home after their historic voyage.

What are your biggest takeaways from Artemis II so far, and will you be watching the splashdown live? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. We would love to hear which moment of the mission inspired you most.

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Sources NASA official mission updates (nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii) Verified timelines from NASA blogs and public statements (April 2026)