Space

Artemis II: Everything You Need To Know About The Astronauts' Return To Earth

Friday evening, history comes home.

Artemis II Returns: Prepare For NASA's Splashdown

Join us this evening at 7:45 p.m. EDT to watch a live stream of the Artemis splashdown.

After nearly 10 days circling the moon, the final chapter of the Artemis II mission is all about getting the crew safely back on Earth, and it’s going to be a show you won’t want to miss.

The Artemis II astronauts will make their dramatic return from orbit Friday, splashing down off the coast of San Diego at about 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. local time).

While parts of California will see showers and thunderstorms today, those should remain well north and west of San Diego and its nearshore waters late Friday afternoon. Westerly winds around 10 mph are expected in the splashdown zone, as well.

Here's how splashdown works and what to watch for:

The journey home begins with a critical separation: The Orion crew module detaches from its service module, which has been steering them around the moon and back.

Artemis II crew members, from left, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch, pause to turn the camera around for a selfie midway through their lunar observation period of the moon during a lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. (NASA via AP) — In this image provided by NASA, Artemis II crew members, from left, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch, pause to turn the camera around for a selfie midway through their lunar observation period of the Moon during a lunar flyby, Monday, April 6, 2026.
(NASA via AP)

Exposing the heat shield, Orion is ready to face temperatures soaring to nearly 3,000 degrees as it slices through Earth’s atmosphere. Don’t worry, this shield is designed to take the heat, though NASA is watching extra closely after significant erosion seen on the Artemis I.

(MORE: Artemis II Crew Dedicates Crater To Commander’s Late Wife)

Once reentry heat peaks, Orion will shed its cover, clearing the way for a precise parachute sequence. Two initial parachutes will deploy to slow the capsule from over 300 mph, followed by three pilot chutes that will pull out the final three main parachutes.

By the time Orion hits the Pacific Ocean, it's expected to be gliding at a calm 17 mph. That's when pre-positioned recovery teams from the U.S. Navy and NASA will move in.

Safety Measures

Ahead of reentry, the crew will return their cabin to its original configuration, stow all equipment and suit up. After landing, helicopters will retrieve the astronauts and take them to the USS John P. Murtha, where they’ll undergo medical evaluations before taking a plane back to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

(MORE: Watch ‘Earthset’ Over The Moon From Artemis II)

What To Watch For

Time: 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. PDT) is the exact splashdown moment.

Visuals: Look for Orion glowing as it hits the atmosphere, but keep in mind, the daytime splashdown may make it harder for skywatchers on the West Coast to see much.

Recovery: Helicopters will swoop in to retrieve the crew. This is all part of NASA’s tried-and-true process for bringing astronauts home safely.

After splashing down on Dec. 11, 2022, U.S. Navy divers help recover the Orion spacecraft for the Artemis I mission. During this uncrewed flight, designated Artemis I, the spacecraft traveled thousands of miles beyond the Moon and then back to Earth over the course of about three weeks. (NASA/Josh Valcarcel) — After splashing down on Dec. 11, 2022, U.S. Navy divers help recover the Orion spacecraft for the Artemis I mission. During this uncrewed flight, designated Artemis I, the spacecraft traveled thousands of miles beyond the Moon and then back to Earth over the course of about three weeks.
(NASA/Josh Valcarcel)

Importance: Artemis II is the first step in NASA’s plan to return humans to the lunar surface. Each successful splashdown and recovery teaches engineers more about spacecraft safety and heat shield performance, setting the stage for Artemis III and beyond.

Text your group chat, find a safe viewing spot or livestream and get ready to see history return to Earth!

weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.