How the Artemis crew will splash down on Earth

Artemis II Crew Set for Earth Return

The four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft have concluded their lunar orbit mission and are poised to splash down near San Diego, California, at 20:07 Eastern Time on Friday (01:07 BST Saturday). The re-entry sequence, which begins with the detachment of the European Service Module, is expected to last about 42 minutes. This phase, marked by extreme heat, is viewed as the mission’s riskiest, with the capsule facing temperatures nearing 2,760°C—roughly half the Sun’s surface heat.

Preparing for Lunar Landing

While the Artemis II crew will not land on the Moon this time, NASA is working toward a planned lunar mission for 2028. The crew shared updates via video call, offering glimpses of their journey and messages for loved ones.

“We’re excited to share our experiences from space,” one crew member said, highlighting the emotional and technical challenges of the mission.

Meanwhile, preparations for future Moon landings are intensifying, with the U.S. aiming to be the first nation to send humans back to the lunar surface by 2028.

Tests and Training Highlights

NASA astronauts conducted multiple experiments and simulations aboard the Orion capsule, including practicing maneuvering techniques. The mission’s 10-day duration also required the development of a new “universal waste management system,” or space lo