Artemis II Splashdown LIVE: Astronauts 'Halfway Home', Begin Stowing Their Gear for Return
NASA on April 1 successfully launched Artemis II, marking the first crewed mission to the Moon since 1972. The 10-day expedition sent four astronauts into lunar orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft, with the mission set to conclude with a splashdown on Friday, April 10. Follow the live updates to get full coverage
- Science News
- 3 min read
NASA on April 1 launched Artemis II, the first crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years. This historic 10-day flight, featuring Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, represents a critical test of the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft.
On April 6, the crew made history by reaching 248,655 miles from Earth, surpassing the human distance record set by Apollo 13 in 1970.
At their peak, they reached approximately 252,760 miles.Beyond breaking records, the mission validated Orion's life-support and navigation systems in deep space.
The crew performed a lunar flyby, capturing unprecedented high-resolution views of the Moon’s far side. Now homeward bound, the astronauts have begun stowing gear and securing the cabin for re-entry.
The mission is scheduled to conclude on Friday, April 10, with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at approximately 8:07 p.m. EDT. This success clears the way for Artemis III, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface. Follow the LIVE for latest updates
Crew Reflected On The Risks Ahead
Artemis II LIVE: Addressing the media on April 9, 2026, Victor Glover highlighted that reentering the Earth’s surface has been on his mind since the astronauts were assigned to the mission.
Most Dangerous Phase
Artemis II LIVE: Splashing down remains one of the most dangerous phases of the Artemis II programme. As the Orion spacecraft gears up to return to Earth, it will be travelling at speeds more than 30 times the speed of sound. This can lead to descent compression of atmospheric gases near the capsule, producing extreme heat. Temperatures around the Orion can rise up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which can melt most metals.
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NASA Releases Solar Eclipse Video
Artemis II LIVE: NASA has released a rare video of a solar eclipse captured from space, as astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission reach the halfway point on their journey back to Earth.
Do Astronauts Flush Into Space?
Artemis II LIVE: As NASA’s Artemis II mission pushes deeper into space, curiosity around life aboard the Orion spacecraft isn’t just about moon views and cutting-edge tech, it’s also about the basics. Like, well… the bathroom.
So, is waste dumped into space? Partially yes. But not everything.
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Today is All About Packing
Artemis II LIVE: Flight Day 9 of the astronauts' mission aboard Orion will primarily focus on packing and stowing everything aboard their spacecraft in preparation for their return to Earth.
How Are Astronauts Preparing for Artemis II Return
Artemis II LIVE: On their last full day in space, the astronauts will review the re-entry and splashdown procedures and conduct a return trajectory correction burn. Koch and Hansen will stow and secure all the equipment. They will remove the cargo and locker netting and install and adjust crew seats. The crew will also review the latest weather briefing, recovery force status, and entry timeline.
What Happens After Splashdown?
Artemis II LIVE: Once the spacecraft lands in the Pacific, recovery teams will retrieve the crew and capsule, bringing the landmark Artemis II mission to a close.
How To Track the Spacecraft Live?
Artemis II LIVE: NASA is providing real-time tracking of Orion through its Artemis tracking platform, accessible via its official website and mobile app, allowing people worldwide to follow the spacecraft’s final leg home.
Mission Makes History
Artemis II LIVE: The mission has already made history. Travelling aboard the Orion spacecraft, the astronauts reached a distance greater than any human spaceflight before, surpassing the record set by Apollo 13.
When Will Astronauts Return to Earth?
Artemis II LIVE: The four-member crew is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean at around 8:07 pm ET on Friday, 10 April — which translates to approximately 5:37 am IST on Saturday, 11 April.
Astronauts Begin Stowing Their Gear for Return
Artemis II LIVE: The Artemis 2 astronauts have hit the midway point in their journey back to Earth from the moon, according to NASA.