NASA Artemis II Astronauts Prepare For Historic Pacific Splashdown After Lunar Record
Key Takeaways
- Artemis II completed a lunar flyby around the Moon with four astronauts aboard.
- The mission set a new distance record, traveling about 252,756 miles (406,771 km) from Earth.
- Splashdown is scheduled off Southern California, with recovery by the USS John P. Murtha.
Artemis II Nears Earth Return
NASA's Artemis II mission is in its final stages as the four astronauts prepare to return to Earth.
“Artemis II's moon mission is the 1st in more than 50 years”
They broke the long-standing record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth, reaching 252,760 miles.
The crew is preparing for reentry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego.
NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is marking the occasion by lighting up six downtown properties in the crew's colors.
Reentry Preparations
The crew spent their last full day packing and stowing gear and reviewing procedures.
NASA has modified the reentry path after a heat shield cracked during Artemis I.
The capsule will enter the atmosphere at over 32 times the speed of sound.
The crew will go through a six-minute communications blackout.
Weather and Recovery
Splashdown conditions must be right, including wave heights of less than six feet.
“The four astronauts on board the Orion spacecraft have completed their mission around the Moon and are expected to splash down off the coast of San Diego on around 20:00 Friday US EDT (01:00BST)”
A weather system could bring rain showers to the area before splashdown.
The recovery ship USS John P. Murtha will be on site.
This is the first NASA-Defense Department lunar reentry since Apollo 17.
Crew Reflections
The astronauts reflected on their historic journey.
Wiseman described naming a crater after his late wife as the pinnacle moment.
Glover called riding a fireball through the atmosphere profound.
NASA acknowledged the risks still in front of the crew.
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