Ahead of the splashdown, the Artemis II astronauts discussed motivating future explorers and contributing to major advancements for humanity’s benefit. Details of their statements are available separately. The Orion capsule’s return will adhere to a specific schedule throughout Friday afternoon and evening. NASA indicates the targeted splashdown at approximately 5:07 p.m. Pacific Time (8:07 p.m. Eastern Time; 1:07 a.m. British Summer Time on Saturday) may adjust based on progress during descent. Current timeline (Pacific Time): 8:35 a.m. – Astronauts awaken; 10:50 a.m. – Finalize cabin setup; 11:53 a.m. – Execute last trajectory adjustment maneuver; 4:33 p.m. – Detach from service module; 4:37 p.m. – Perform orientation burn for proper reentry position; 4:53 p.m. – Enter Earth’s atmosphere at 400,000 feet; 5:07 p.m. – Touch down in ocean. During reentry at 25,000 mph, the capsule will face temperatures reaching 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius). Eleven parachutes will activate progressively at designated heights post-reentry, reducing speed to 17 mph upon landing. Recovery teams from NASA and the US Navy may require up to two hours post-landing to access the capsule, open it, and assist the astronauts. Plans include transporting them by helicopter to a San Diego military facility for health evaluations, followed by a flight to Johnson’s Space Center in Houston. A NASA briefing is scheduled roughly two and a half hours after landing. Greetings and welcome to our ongoing reporting on the Artemis II team’s return off California’s shores following their captivating 10-day lunar orbit mission. The Orion spacecraft, which transported four astronauts—three from the US and one from Canada—on a 695,000-mile trip, is due to land at 5:07 p.m. Pacific Time (8:07 p.m. Eastern Time; 1:07 a.m. British Summer Time on Saturday). I’m Richard Luscombe, providing updates on events from reentry preparations through the ocean landing and the moment the crew emerges for their initial intake of fresh air since departing Florida on April 1.
