Artemis II splashdown LIVE: Orion splashes down safely in the Pacific Ocean

Artemis II splashdown LIVE: Orion splashes down safely in the Pacific Ocean

Friday, April 10, 2026: The latest updates on the Artemis II mission as the crew prepare for a perilous reentry to Earth following a 10-day journey around the moon.

News By Patrick Pester, Brandon Specktor, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Ben Turner last updated 11 April 2026

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Artemis II's Orion capsule floats down to the Pacific Ocean. (Image credit: © NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Here's the latest on the final stage of the Artemis II mission:

• The Orion capsule Integrity has splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean at 8:07 p.m. EDT.
• Artemis II mission commander Reid Wiseman has confirmed that all four astronuats are in good shape.
• NASA has powered down the spacecraft ahead of U.S. Navy recovery team approach.

Refresh Get notified of updates 2026-04-11T00:57:34.753Z

That reentry though

As we wait for crew recovery (which appears imminent) let's just relive that stunning, pitch-perfect reentry for a moment.

And maybe enjoy it a little more knowing the crew turned out okay. What a ride!

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Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-11T00:53:57.982Z

Post-splashdown news conference at NASA Johnson Space Center

We're currently waiting for the Navy to erect the front porch and recover the Artemis II crew.

NASA is set to hold a press conference at Johnson Space Center in Houston at 10:30 p.m. EDT to answer the public's questions about the splashdown, crew status and what's next for the Artemis program. According to NASA: "Details on the astronauts’ return to Houston will be shared later."

NASA has already announced its plans for Artemis III in 2027, a crewed mission which will land on the moon. Beyond this, the agency also plans to build a $20 billion lunar base to pave the way for a long-term human presence on the moon.

2026-04-11T00:41:17.981Z

"The vehicle is in excellent shape"

That was NASA's mission commentator, Rob Navias on NASA's YouTube livestream, who highlighted how smooth and perfect this landing was.

He called it a "bullseye landing" and will no doubt be one for the history books in more than one way.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-11T00:34:33.697Z

Integrity has been powered down

The Orion capsule has been powered down, with four healthy crew members on board.

Flight director Rick Henfling has handed over authority to the exploration ground systems team in the Pacific.

2026-04-11T00:30:44.070Z

"I'm still at a loss for words"

"Childhood Jared right now can't believe what I just saw," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman onboard the USS John P. Murtha right now. "We are back in the business of sending astronuats to the moon."

"This is just the beginning, we are gonna get back into doing this with frequency, sending missions to the moon until we land on it in 2028 and start building our base," he added.

2026-04-11T00:26:57.707Z

The recovery team is standing by

Still troubleshooting that pesky satphone as Integrity powers down.

2026-04-11T00:21:32.793Z

"We hear them, but it does not appear that they hear us."

A U.S. Navy fast boat has arrived at the splashdown site. Artemis II's crew are now coordinating with mission control for the power down.

They are also fixing a troublesome satphone link with the Navy recovery team.

2026-04-11T00:16:15.315Z

Integrity is now powering down

(Image credit: NASA)

NASA is now beginning to power down Integrity so that the U.S. Navy recovery team can safely approach.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-11T00:10:25.799Z

Navy recovery begins

As NASA powers down the Orion spacecraft for the last time, the Navy recovery team is moving in. Members of the Navy dive medical team will approach the side of the capsule and inflate a large raft called the "front porch."

Then, when NASA gives the go-ahead, the team will open the capsule and do a preliminary medical check of the Artemis II crew. Following this check, the recovery team will pull the astronauts out of the capsule one by one, starting with Christina Koch.

This will be the astronauts’ first exposure to Earth’s gravity in more than 9 days, so they may feel a little weak and wobbly at first as they find their “land legs.”

When everyone feels ready, the astronauts will be lifted one by one into a pair of waiting Navy helicopters. Next, they’ll all fly to the USS Murtha transport dock ship to receive a more comprehensive medical exam.

Brandon SpecktorSpace and Physics Editor 2026-04-11T00:08:08.686Z

Splashdown!

The Orion capsule has hit the ocean surface.

A heart-thumping reentry is complete. The Artemis II crew is home. And breathe.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-11T00:06:22.501Z

Main chutes deployed

Three good main chutes deployed as Integrity passes 5,000 feet. We're nearly there. This is a pitch-perfect descent.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-11T00:04:34.859Z

Drogues deployed

Two good drogue chutes deployed.

2026-04-11T00:03:55.682Z

"We have you loud and clear"

Orion is back on comms as Wiseman replies to Jackie, "We have you loud and clear."

Those are Aremis II's commander as they speed to splashdown.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-11T00:02:46.633Z

Cheers in mission control

Cheers from the mission room as communication is restored with commander Reid Wiseman. They're five minutes away from coming home.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-11T00:01:35.610Z

Communications restored as parachutes begin to deploy

Orion has now come out of the communications blackout at an altitude of around 22,000 feet.

According to NASA's re-entry plan, the Orion will jettison its front bay cover and unfurl its drogue parachutes.

After these parachutes come the three main parachutes, each weighing 300 pounds. Those three parachutes will slow Orion down to a gentle 19 mph (31 kph) as it hits the ocean.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T23:56:32.702Z

Hushed quiet in mission control

Orion's heat shield is now approaching peak heating.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T23:55:47.101Z

Where are they reentering?

The Artemis II crew is breaching the upper atmosphere southeast of Hawaii.

At 6,000 feet, the Orion capsule will release its three parachutes for a slow and steady descent. Orion will move closer to land while it's under parachute, eventually splashing down off the coast of San Diego.

Here's a nice graphic of the parachute sequence and where the crew will eventually end up, assuming all goes to plan — which it looks like it is.

(Image credit: NASA) 2026-04-10T23:55:15.725Z

Millions now tuning in

The Artemis II splashdown broadcast wasn't receiving nearly as many viewers as NASA's launch coverage, but that is now changing, fast!

About 3 million people are watching live on NASA's YouTube channel alone, and the total viewership will end up well above that. The world holds its breath.

2026-04-10T23:55:01.165Z

Communications blackout

Orion will now experience an exactly six-minute communications blackout.

This is because plasma builds up around the spacecraft as it races through Earth's atmosphere, temporarily blocking communications from the crew.

2026-04-10T23:54:01.404Z

Orion hits the Earth's atmosphere

Orion has now hit the first traces of Earth's upper atmosphere at 400,000 feet above the Earth.

Travelling at almost 35 times the speed of sound, the astronauts inside the capsule are expected to pull up to 3.9 Gs, or what you might feel on a really good roller coaster.

NASA's planned 6-minute communications blackout with the astronauts, and the test of Artemis II's heat shield will soon begin.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T23:45:44.334Z

Why is the Integrity crew capsule doing 180 degree rolls?

The crew module is now performing a couple dramatic rolls before descending into Earth's atmosphere.

No, it's not showing off.

This is not only to safely clear any debris that may have been produced from the separation from the service module but it also helps to reorient the capsule to meet Earth's atmosphere with the right face.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T23:43:40.637Z

"It looks a little smaller than yesterday"

Those were commander Reid Wiseman's comments on the moon from his window.

"Guess we'll have to go back," responded capcom Jacki Mahaffey.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T23:37:47.968Z

Burn complete

Raise burn is now complete.

Orion is now on the precise trajectory needed to splash down just off the coast of San Diego.

Artemis II, you are coming home.

2026-04-10T23:35:51.103Z

Raise that burn

The Orion capsule is set to perform its raise burn maneuver.

As the name suggests, this is the kind of burn that raises the Orion spacecraft, once again refining its trajectory as the crew prepares to reenter Earth's atmosphere at just the right angle for a smooth (ish, they'll be pulling 3.9 Gs) and precise ride.

The burn will last for 18 seconds. This is the final burn of the mission. Orion's ultimate test is about to begin.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T23:34:36.023Z

Orion is coming in hot, so how hot will it get?

As it begins reentry, the Orion capsule is experiencing some extreme heat.

This is due to a process known as compressive heating, where the spacecraft compresses the air in front of it. This compressed air can get hot, really hot, which is why spacecraft like Orion need heat shields to protect the craft and the crew from burning up upon re-entry.

So how hot is Orion getting? According to NASA, the spacecraft is heating up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit or 2,800 degrees Celsius. That's a big number to think about so we've made a few common comparisons

It's about half as hot as our sun

It's about 10 times hotter than your home oven (around 500 degrees Fahrenheit).

More than twice as hot as lava (around 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit)

Around the same heat as a welding torch (6,000 degrees Fahrenheit).

2026-04-10T23:34:08.647Z

Crew module separation complete

The crew module has now separated from the service vehicle, exposing Orion's heat shield for the module's descent through Earth's atmosphere.

It will now encounter 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NASA. Just how hot is this? I'm glad you asked!

2026-04-10T23:33:13.750Z

All quiet in mission control

The Orion capsule is now entering its most critical phase one minute ahead of crew module separation.

2026-04-10T23:22:40.111Z

NASA sends GPS signal to Integrity

NASA is about to send some GPS data to the Orion spacecraft to let its onboard computers know that it's on the right track for a successful splashdown.

2026-04-10T23:20:42.839Z

How are heat shields made?

(Image credit: NASA)

The main reason why a spacecraft doesn't get burned up upon reentry is due to its heat shield.

So what makes this shield so special? For one thing, it's designed to carry heat away from the spacecraft during reentry. Orion's heat shield is around 16.5 feet in diameter and built around a titanium skeleton with a composite carbon-fiber skin that gives it shape and structural strength.

On top of that structure, engineers attach blocks of Avcoat, an ablative material derived from the one used on Apollo. Rather than trying to resist all the heat, the Avcoat works by ablating, meaning it chars, breaks down and carries heat away as it wears away.

So, if all goes according to plan, the Avcoat erodes gradually during the re-entry process. NASA says that this process helps keep the cabin crew far cooler on the other side of the heat shield. The Avcoat layer, made of 186 blocks, can withstand around 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NASA.

2026-04-10T23:07:02.505Z

One hour till splashdown!

A view from inside the Orion spacecraft heading back down to Earth. (Image credit: NASA)

If you're just joining us here at Live Science we are exactly 1 hour away from the scheduled Artemis II splashdown estimated at 7:07 PDT or 9:07 EDT. The Orion capsule will land in the Pacific Ocean just off the coast of San Diego.

Stay tuned as we continue covering this story.

2026-04-10T22:58:50.443Z

NASA expects Orion to splashdown upright

A GIF showing how the CMUS works. (Image credit: NASA)

When it hits Earth's atmosphere, the Orion capsule will be traveling at a mind-boggling 11 km/s (40,000 km/h) speed, around 40 times faster than a passenger jet. That fast descent will be in brief radio silence, as an electrically conductive plasma will surround the craft, blocking all communications between it and ground control for around six minutes.

According to NASA's mission commentator, Rob Navias, NASA expects the Orion spacecraft to land upright in the Pacific ocean off the coast of San Diego.

However, there still is a chance Orion could land inverted into the ocean. If that happens, Orion won't stay upside down for long. The capsule is fitted with something called the Crew Module Uprighting System (CMUS), which was originally installed before Artemis I in 2022. The CMUS is essentially five giant airbags mounted to the top of the capsule. If Orion splashes down inverted, or rolls into a bad position thanks to rough ocean waves, the CMUS inflates and rotates the spacecraft back to its proper position, where the crew can exit through the side hatch.

NASA says the uprighting system takes less than four minutes to flip the capsule and can keep Orion upright and stable for at least 24 hours in the ocean if needed. Not only does the capsule need to be upright for communications to work, but it's also safer for the astronauts.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T22:46:00.669Z

34 minutes that will define the mission

(Image credit: NASA)

Artemis II and its astronauts have almost completed a historic spaceflight around the moon.

But today, this 10-day mission will be defined by just 34 minutes. That's the length of time between Orion's crew module separating from its service module, exposing Artemis II's much-discussed heat shield, and Orion splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.

Separation will occur at 7:33 p.m EDT. Four minutes later, Orion will make its final burn of the mission; a raise burn to refine its trajectory and hit a line that will reduce stress on the heat shield. Of course, the heat shield will still have to repel temperatures of 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,800 degrees Celsius), which is about half as hot as those on the surface of the sun.

At 7:53 p.m., Orion will reach 400,000 feet above the Earth. Traveling at almost 35 times the speed of sound, the astronauts inside the capsule are expected to pull up to 3.9 Gs. This is when NASA's planned 6-minute communications blackout with the astronauts begins — plasma will build up around the capsule and block communications.

For 10 minutes, the astronauts will race toward Earth at a blistering pace.

Then, at 8:03 p.m., at 22,000 feet above Earth, the parachutes will deploy. The capsule will quickly decelerate, reducing in speed to less than 136 mph. From here, the capsule will continue to decelerate to just 19 mph, floating down to Earth to hit the Pacific Ocean at 8:07 p.m.

If all goes to plan, 34 minutes, and the Artemis II mission will end in triumph.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T22:38:34.377Z

How many G's will the astronauts experience?

The ride back to Earth is not going to be a smooth one. According to NASA's flight controller Rick Henfling, Artemis II's Orion capsule will decelerate from around 24,000 mph to 19 mph in around 14 minutes. That's six minutes shorter than the 20 minutes it took the 2022 Artemis I mission to do the same.

This more direct descent is an attempt to decrease the amount of strain on Orion's heat shield, which had some experts concerned due to it cracking during the Artemis I descent.

So what does that mean for the astronauts? Experts calculate that the crew is about to feel up to 3.9 Gs during re-entry, or about four times the usual weight of gravity.

In other words, the astronauts' bodies will feel almost four times heavier than before they left Earth. Talking will feel heavier, breathing will be difficult, and they will not want to move. This will probably feel even more extreme for them given that they've been experiencing weightlessness for the past 10 days.

That G-force is a sign the spacecraft is doing its job, as reentry is all about shedding tons of speed in a safe way, using drag from the atmosphere as a type of brake.

Unfortunately, the price of braking is heat and G-force.

2026-04-10T22:31:37.147Z

NASA+ Coverage kicks off

While NASA's YouTube is livestreaming the splashdown, eager viewers can also watch the historic landing on NASA+, NASA's free streaming service.

NASA+ is NASA's attempt to make space coverage work more like modern media — built for on-demand viewing instead of waiting for broadcast TV. The agency introduced the service in 2023 as a new home for live launch coverage, original video series, kids' programming, Spanish-language content and news.

Netflix will also be streaming NASA+'s livestream of the splashdown, scheduled to land at approximately 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T21:55:26.610Z

Not a record-breaking return after all?

Darroll Nail from NASA communications has appeared on the feed with an interesting update.

NASA's flight dynamics team has calculated that the spacecraft should reach a top speed of 24,661.21 miles per hour after reentry.

If the team's calculations are right, that should put the Artemis II crew 130 mph behind the top speed of Apollo 10's 24,791 mph return.

2026-04-10T21:47:39.260Z

Suited up

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)

The crew are now suited up aboard the Orion capsule, all set to return as they left.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T21:44:31.219Z

Leak check complete

The Artemis II astronauts have just had their suits checked for leaks. NASA's mission commentator, Rob Navias, tells us the suits passed – no leaks!

Another stage cleared, and once again, all is going smoothly for NASA and the crew aboard Orion.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T21:42:41.811Z

Hardly a pale blue dot anymore

(Image credit: NASA)

Earth is no longer looking quite so small or fragile as it did over the past week from the Orion capsule.

Things will only heat up from here.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T21:37:51.767Z

Recovery practice makes recovery perfect

Members from NASA’s Artemis Landing and Recovery team and the Department of War perform a final simulation of the Artemis II splashdown on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Image credit: NASA)

The Artemis astronauts aren’t the only ones who have prepared extensively for today’s reentry: The U.S. Navy’s dive medical team, which will recover the astronauts from their capsule after splashdown, have been hard at work preparing too.

To simulate a real recovery at sea, NASA made a full-scale mockup of the Orion capsule for the Navy to deploy into the water earlier this year. Using speedboats and aircraft, the team ran through the day’s procedures on the fake spacecraft multiple times.

According to one Navy team member on Reddit, the Artemis astronauts even signed the inside of the mockup capsule. Now that’s attention to detail!

Brandon SpecktorSpace and Physics Editor 2026-04-10T21:31:17.211Z

Crew working through reentry checklist as they prepare for a bumpy landing

Everything is going to plan so far, as the crew work their way through their reentry list before changing into their suits for landing.

Like how the flight attendants remind you to stow your laptops and put up your tray tables when your plane begins its descent, the Artemis II crew have to do something similar when preparing the Orion capsule for reentry. Only theirs is a tad more extreme.

This means stowing loose gear, securing checklists, packing away any personal items, and making sure anything that could float, shift or bump around during reentry is locked down.

The Artemis II descent is going to happen about 40 times faster than a passenger jet and will be way, way bumpier. This means that anything that's loose could become a hazard when Orion starts shaking during re-entry and then hits the ocean.

The crew also has to prepare themselves for reentry by configuring their seats and getting into their entry suits. This way, by the time Orion enters the Earth's atmosphere, everything is tucked away and the crew are buckled in for their historic descent.

2026-04-10T21:15:34.185Z

What does it take to get a crater named on the moon?

At the 10 o’clock position of the Orientale basin, the two small craters that the Artemis II crew suggested be named Integrity and Carroll are visible. (Image credit: NASA)

There were a lot of emotional moments during the Artemis II mission, but the biggest tear-jerker for us was when Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen suggested a lunar crater be named after fellow Artemis astronaut Reid Weisman's late wife Carroll.

"It's a bright spot on the moon. And we would like to call it 'Carroll,'" Hansen said, holding back tears.

Here is a labeled image so you can see the craters more clearly! pic.twitter.com/H2dHIdKXcvApril 7, 2026

But how does a crater on the moon actually get named? Well, it's more complicated than just making a suggestion, even if it's coming from an astronaut breaking a number of major lunar records.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the governing body in charge of accepting and publishing official names for space objects like moons, asteroids, comets and even craters, and NASA will formally submit the proposals after the mission is completed. The Paris-based non-governmental organization's criteria can be summarized as follows:

The person the astronomical object is named after has made some serious scientific contributions, preferably to astronomy.

The person has been deceased for at least three years before the crater name becomes official.

It can't be the same name as other lunar craters or structures

Other crater names include Aristoteles (after astronomer Aristotle), Tycho (after astronomer Tycho Brahe), Shackleton (after explorer Ernest Shackleton) and Dryden (after former NASA Director Hugh Latimer Dryden). There are also craters named after crew members from the Apollo 8 mission, and to honor the lives lost in the Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia disasters.

So, if Carroll is accepted as a crater name, it will become another entry in the history books in this historic Artemis II mission.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T21:11:54.349Z

"I remember that class"

A few minutes ago, Reid Wiseman asked Jacki Mahaffey about a raise burn reading of 44 seconds, compared to an estimate made in the entry plan that was only 19 seconds.

Jacki reminded Wiseman that the reading in question doesn't take into account that Orion will have separated from its service module by that point, so it's a different math calculation.

"I remember that class in November of 2023 in building five on the third floor," Wiseman replies. "Thank you very much."

The astronauts have a lot to remember.

2026-04-10T21:04:45.793Z

Three hours to splashdown: Where we're at so far

If you're just joining us, the Artemis II Orion spacecraft and its four-person crew are closing in on Earth. NASA is targeting 8:07 p.m. EDT for a splashdown off the coast of San Diego, putting us within a few hours of the crew returning to Earth.

It has been smooth sailing for NASA and the crew thus far. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen got up at 11:35 a.m. with a wake-up call of songs from Live and the Zac Brown Band. The wake-up included a special pre-recorded message from Zac of the Zac Brown Band.

"Just want to say how proud of you we are," Zac said. "It takes courage and grit and freedom to chase the unknown. It's the purest kind of American spirit. Millions back home are looking up and feeling more inspired because of you. Keep flying strong. Keep flying safe. Can't wait to welcome you home."

"What a great way to start the day, Houston," said Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman. "Courage and grit. That'll stick with me and it should stick with all of you all day long."

At 1:50 p.m, Orion began cabin configuration for re-entry and then at 2:53 p.m. we had the third and final return trajectory correction burn. The 8-second burn tweaked Orion's trajectory, ensuring the crew maintains a precise course for their reentry.

NASA's mission commentator, Rob Navias, reminded us at the time that this third return trajectory correction burn and upcoming crew module raised burn are final amendments to Orion's angle of reentry, designed to minimize impacts upon the heat shield.

You can read more about Artemis II's faulty heat shield in my Q&A with space expert Ed Macaulay. Check out the full story here.

What else has happened? Well, the crew stowed the collapsable contingency urinal (CCU) — a container used on Artemis II after the notorious malfunction of their space toilet.

"We feel that's unaccessible now," Koch said after the stowing. "And we'd like to keep it in that config."

Wiseman and Glover have snapped some nice photos of Earth on their phones, which NASA would like copies on their return — as would we. And the pair shared a quick fist bump to celebrate some successful late-stage checks.

You're joining us just after the pesky mission toilet got deactivated, so things are looking up from here. Or down depending on your perspective.

2026-04-10T21:01:38.182Z

Toilet deactivated

"Houston, Integrity for toilet deactivation," Christina Koch said over comms.

"... go ahead for toilet," was the response from Houston, courtesy of Stan Love.

Returning to Earth means deactivating your space toilet. The Orion toilet has been firmly in the spotlight for this mission, having previously malfunctioned.

Earlier, the crew stowed the collapsable contingency urinal (CCU), or the containers the crew used after said malfunction.

2026-04-10T20:58:37.781Z

And then there's Mars

(Image credit: Logan Architecture)

The U.S. and China aren't planning to stop their space-faring activities at the moon. Both countries want to send humans to Mars. Their progress towards this ambitious goal will hinge on what they are able to achieve on the moon.

However, China is likely to pull ahead in one Martian race: Sample return.

China's Tianwen-3 sample return mission aims to be the first to collect rocks from the Red Planet. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2028 and return to Earth in 2031.

Meanwhile, NASA's Mars Sample Return program was effectively cancelled in January as part of Congress-approved spending cuts.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T20:51:00.016Z

NASA is also facing some steep cuts

Yet another big unknown in NASA's fortunes are ... the whims of President Donald Trump.

Just two days after Artemis II's historic launch, the White House released a budget blueprint calling for a 23% cut to NASA's budget. That amounts to a cut of $5.6 billion.

A similar budget announced last year was defeated by Congress, but it nonetheless places NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman in the unenviable position of having to both defend these cuts while drumming up investment for a NASA moon base and a nuclear propulsion reactor to Mars.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T20:42:41.690Z

Or China could land on the moon first

(Image credit: Getty Images)

But, of course, there's a strong possibility that China gets there first.

China is threatening to overtake the U.S. as the leader in space exploration in the "new space race." Both countries are planning to establish a presence on the moon, and while NASA's current lunar landings schedule will put its astronauts there ahead of China's taikonauts, there's no guarantee the U.S. will get its people on the moon first.

NASA plans to put humans on the lunar surface twice in 2028 as part of the Artemis IV and Artemis V missions. China, on the other hand, wants to land its own astronauts on the moon before 2030, which is at most two years after NASA.

It's worth keeping in mind that the Artemis program has been fraught with delays. NASA was originally targeting a moon landing in 2024. That landing still hasn't happened, and any further delays could see the U.S. and China shooting for the lunar surface in the same year. Of course, Artemis II demonstrates that NASA is still capable of sending humans to the moon, something China has yet to achieve.

China wants to send humans to the moon in its Mengzhou spacecraft, taken into space on a Long March 10 rocket. Another rocket is then supposed to transport China's Lanyue lunar lander to the moon on a separate flight, before rendezvousing with Mengzhou around the moon, Nature reported.

The China Manned Spaceflight Agency has carried out several uncrewed tests of its Mengzhou spacecraft, and has plans to test it again during an uncrewed trip to China's Tiangong space station later this year. Full details of China's lunar landing plans have not yet been made public.

2026-04-10T20:37:08.568Z

What's next for the Artemis program?

(Image credit: NASA)

Even as we near splashdown, Artemis II is far from over yet. NASA still needs to go through all of the data collected during the mission and reveal all of its findings.

However, NASA will soon switch focus to its future Artemis missions.

Artemis III is up next. NASA recently announced a sweeping overhaul of the Artemis program, which will see Artemis III test the docking capabilities of the Orion crew capsule with a lunar lander in Earth orbit in 2027.

Artemis III was originally supposed to be the first crewed lunar landing mission. However, NASA is now targeting Artemis IV and Artemis V for moon landing missions, both scheduled for 2028. Artemis V is also supposed to lay the foundations for NASA's permanent lunar base.

2026-04-10T20:20:15.916Z

What do engineers learn from a returned spacecraft?

Even though a splashdown signals a mission's end, there's still much to learn from the spacecraft after it lands in the ocean.

For NASA engineers, that means studying the capsule to see how well it actually performed upon reentry versus in the computer models and practice tests.

They will inspect the heat shield to see how it handled the extreme temperatures of reentry. Engineers will also look at scorch marks, wear patterns, seals, parachute hardware and other structural components of the capsule to compare the real results against ground testing.

The inside of the capsule can also give some insights for future missions. Engineers will review how seats, restraints, storage displays and onboard systems performed during the bumpiest parts of the re-entry. This enables designers to continually improve the crew quarters.

All of these findings get written up in post-landing reports for mission planners and engineers to use for future missions.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T20:16:42.338Z

A quick fist bump

As they near Earth, the Artemis II astronuats have shared a quick fist bump to celebrate some successful late stage checks. The countdown to splashdown is now at 3 hours and 50 minutes.

Fist bump! 👊 The Artemis II crew is now under 35,000 miles from Earth. The astronauts are preparing the spacecraft for reentry and the weather is looking good for splashdown. pic.twitter.com/jYNlo0xoNuApril 10, 2026

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T20:04:44.969Z

Recovery operations are underway

Recovery crews aboard the USS John P. Murtha prepare to collect the Artemis II crew. (Image credit: NASA)

We just got a view of some of the helicopters that will assist in the Artemis II recovery later today. NASA is using the USS John P. Murtha, a massive transport dock ship, for its recovery operations.

NASA and the U.S. military will use helicopters to retrieve the crew from inside the Orion capsule, which will be floating in the water, and fly them to the USS John P. Murtha.

2026-04-10T19:59:33.022Z

How to watch the splashdown

NASA will stream live coverage of what is expected to be an epic splashdown of the Artemis II Orion spacecraft.

You can watch NASA's broadcast for free on its YouTube channel and various other social media platforms.

NASA's broadcast will also be available to watch through a variety of streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, HBO Max, Discovery+, Peacock and Roku, as well as NASA's own streaming platform, NASA+.

The "Crew Comes Home" broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m. EDT, but you can tune into NASA's live mission coverage now — that's what we're watching — to see the Earth slowly get larger from Orion's perspective and keep up with any crew or mission updates.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T19:58:15.468Z

Why do spacecraft still land in the ocean?

(Image credit: NASA)

Even with modern technology like reusable rockets and autonomous docking, many spacecraft still come back to Earth the old-fashioned way: splash landing in the ocean.

This is because the water is a bit more forgivable than landing on a hard surface.

A capsule goes through a punishing experience when reentering Earth's atmosphere, placing it under extreme heat and intense pressures.

Water can help absorb some of the impact of landing, which is especially useful for blunt-bodied capsules like Orion that are designed to descend under parachutes rather than glide down like an airplane.

Landing in the ocean also gives mission planners far more room to work with, as they don't have to try to steer the capsule from accidentally landing in a populated area.

Ocean landings make sense in general because most missions return over vast stretches of water anyway. Rather than trying to steer a spacecraft toward a small runway or remote desert area, teams can aim for a broad zone and position rescue ships nearby.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T19:51:10.992Z

The storm to come

It's the quiet before the storm on NASA's live mission feed at the moment.

The crew completed their final return trajectory correction burn a little while ago, and we're now watching a serene view of Earth cast in shadow, getting ominously larger and larger from Orion's perspective.

A reminder that we're currently watching NASA's live mission coverage, along with more than 220,000 other people on YouTube.

NASA's "Crew Comes Home" broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m. EDT on YouTube and a variety of streaming services.

The final stages of descent will begin at 7:30 p.m. EDT when Orion's crew module separates from the service module. It'll be not long after this, that Orion's heat shield will face a significant test.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T19:26:12.944Z

Just how fast will Orion be moving?

According to NASA, Orion will be descending at an incredible speed of around 24,000 mph. That may be hard to wrap your head around, so here are a few comparisons:

• It's about 24 times faster than a speeding bullet
• It's about 32 times the speed of sound (767 mph)
• It's about 400 miles a minute. So you could get from New York City to Washington, D.C. in under a minute. You could travel across the continental US in 7 minutes and run the New York Marathon in under four seconds at this speed.
• You could circle the Earth in about 1 hour. The circumference of the Earth is about 24,901 miles so it would be a little over an hour to see the whole planet.

Needless to say, it's quite fast!

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T19:11:54.775Z

"We're going to need a copy of that photo"

Wiseman and Glover have just been snapping photos of what appears to be a gorgeous view of Earth from inside Orion. Wiseman then held up his phone to show off one of the photos.

"We're going to need a copy of that photo when you guys get back," Jacki Mahaffey said over crew communications.

We're going to need a copy, too, Wiseman.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T19:06:09.131Z

Returning from the moon is much harder than doing it from the International Space Station. Here's why.

But that's not to say that coming home from the International Space Station (ISS) and returning from the moon are really that comparable in terms of challenge. The biggest reason is speed.

A spacecraft returning from the ISS is returning from low Earth orbit, which means it's already circling relatively close to our planet. In contrast, a spacecraft returning from the moon is coming from thousands of miles away, meaning they took more thrust to get up there, and accelerate back down for longer.

Capsules coming from the moon return at a speed of around 25,000 mph (40,000 km/h), which is about 7,500 mph faster than the 17,500 mph (28,000 km/h) speed of those returning from the ISS.

That higher speed makes reentry around two times hotter than an ISS return, making the descent harsher on crew and capsule. Because of this, lunar capsules have to be built with more robust heat shields to withstand the higher temperatures.

2026-04-10T19:01:10.585Z

When was the last splashdown before Artemis II?

NASA astronaut Michael Fincke is helped to his feet after returning to Earth from the ISS with other members of the SpaceX Crew-11. (Image credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls)

It was actually only a couple of months ago, when SpaceX's Crew-11 returned early from the International Space Station (ISS) on January 15, 2026 due to a medical emergency.

The unknown medical episode was experienced by astronaut Michael Fincke. According to Fincke, the episode happened on January 7, after he had been preparing for a spacewalk.

He said he couldn't talk, felt no pain, and that the event lasted about 20 minutes. Doctors have reportedly ruled out a heart attack, but the exact cause is still unclear.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T18:54:56.829Z

Burn, Orion, burn

Burn complete! The third return trajectory correction burn is now in the books, and the Artemis II crew is keeping a steady course toward home.

Well, it was only a little bit of excitement. I know you're really here for reentry.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T18:52:26.220Z

"It is yet another spectacular view"

(Image credit: NASA)

That's commander Reid Wiseman speaking, as sunlight streams into the Orion cockpit after the spacecraft assumed the orientation for burn.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T18:46:38.094Z

Get ready for burn

Orion is closing in on its third return trajectory correction burn, scheduled for 2:53 p.m. ET.

This 8-second burn is to tweak Orion's trajectory, ensuring the crew maintains a precise course for their reentry.

NASA's mission commentator, Rob Navias, just reminded us that this third return trajectory correction burn and the subsequent crew module raised burn are final amendments to Orion's angle of reentry, designed to minimize impacts upon the heat shield.

You can read more about Artemis II's faulty heat shield in my Q&A with space expert Ed Macaulay. Check out the full story here.

2026-04-10T18:40:01.665Z

Ideal weather conditions

The weather forecast continues to look great for splashdown. Wind speeds are at about 10 knots, and waves are less than 1.2 meters (4 feet) high off the coast of San Diego.

The Artemis II crew should have a peaceful time bobbing in the ocean if all goes to plan. You know, after hurtling to Earth at 25,000 miles per hour (40,000 kilometers per hour).

As NASA's mission commentator Rob Navias puts it, "Knots not an issue."

Okay, that's enough poor jokes for now. Joke time is over.

2026-04-10T18:38:38.905Z

Joke time

To lighten the mood after that intense burn conference, I think it's time for a joke. This one comes from Funology.

Why did the cow go in the spaceship?

It wanted to see the mooooooon!

Editor's note: The Artemis II crew are not cows.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T18:37:26.144Z

What technique is NASA using for a safe reentry?

(Image credit: NASA)

Besides liftoff, Orion's trip back to Earth will be the most dramatic aspect of Artemis II. After looping around the moon, the spacecraft will slam back into Earth's atmosphere at 25,000 miles per hour (40,000 kilometers per hour).

This means the positioning of the craft needs to be ultra-precise — come in too steep and the vehicle faces punishing heat and pressure; but come in too shallow and it can skip away from the atmosphere.

What's worse is that the gas around the spacecraft gets so hot it turns into electrically conductive plasma, which blocks communications between the craft and ground control, essentially forcing the astronauts to endure a bumpy, scary ride in radio silence for about six minutes. During this reentry, the four astronauts will go from experiencing weightlessness to up to 3.9Gs.

NASA has said that Orion's heat shield must protect the spacecraft from temperatures of around 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,7000 degrees Celsius) during reentry. However, experts are concerned about the integrity of the heat shield, as it's similar to the one used in the Artemis I mission, and that shield cracked during re-entry.

NASA used a skip reentry technique with Artemis I, which has the capsule dip into the upper atmosphere and slow down using drag before bouncing up again, a technique that is supposed to be smoother for astronauts.

However, due to the shield concerns, NASA plans on a more lofted direct entry, sending Orion straight into the atmosphere for a steady, controlled return to the Pacific Ocean.

"If we stick to the new reentry path that NASA has planned, then this heat shield will be safe to fly," Wiseman said.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T18:19:56.950Z

The astronauts just got a little confused over Excel file names

Pilot Victor Glover has just been chatting burn numbers with Jacki Mahaffey.

There was some confusion about Excel file names, but it looks like they're all set now.

With this and Koch's difficulties getting a Bluetooth device to pair after liftoff, it's nice to see these incredibly well-trained astronauts struggling with the same issues as us mere mortals.

The burn conference has concluded.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T18:10:51.494Z

Who will be picking up the astronauts?

Thanks to the close proximity of the Naval Base San Diego, members of the Navy, aboard the USS John Murtha, will be pulling the crew out of the capsule and aboard helicopters.

From there the astronauts will get transported to the Johnson Space Center.

Christina Koch will be hoisted from the capsule first, then Jeremy Hansen, then Victor Glover and then finally Reid Wiseman. Both Koch and Hansen will ride in the first helicopter and Glover and Wiseman in the second, according to NASA's ongoing livestream.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T18:08:15.902Z

A view of the crew

(Image credit: NASA)

Here's our first glimpse of the crew from inside Orion's cockpit today, with commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover reviewing timeline parameters and some of the systems status boards on the flight deck.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T18:06:08.652Z

Oops

When I said "Orion is about to make its third return trajectory correction burn," what I meant to say was, "Orion is going to make its third return trajectory correction burn in an hour."

The 8-second burn is scheduled for 2:53 p.m. Apologies. I'm just so excited for this burn.

2026-04-10T17:45:24.895Z

Burn coming up

Orion is about to make its third return trajectory correction burn, scheduled for 2:53 p.m. ET.

This 8-second burn is to tweak Orion's trajectory, ensuring the crew maintain a precise course for their reentry.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T17:44:21.886Z

Did they really see green on the moon?

(Image credit: NASA)

During a 7-hour lunar flyby earlier this week, Artemis II crewmembers called out their observations of the moon’s surface while simultaneously photographing it — giving members of the science team back on Earth a minute-by-minute account of the rare research expedition.

Several observations already stand out, according to Gordon Osinski, a crater specialist and lunar geologist who helped train the Artemis II astronauts on what to look for.

Besides seeing at least five impact flashes — bright bursts of light from space rocks pummelling the lunar surface — the crew also reported seeing patches of green and brown colorations on the moon.

"We do know there is color on the lunar surface," Osinski told Live Science contributor Elizabeth Howell in an interview.

What those patches signify, geologically, needs further investigation when the crew arrives home.

But this much is clear, Osinski said: The human eye is more sensitive to color than the cameras on board Artemis II, underscoring the importance of sending trained humans on scientific space missions rather than just relying on machines.

Read the full story here.

Brandon SpecktorSpace and Physics Editor 2026-04-10T17:38:51.547Z

Here wee go

NASA's Jacki Mahaffey, Artemis II chief training officer in charge of communications with the crew today, is running through some cabin configurations with the crew before reentry.

One of them involves the stowing of the collapsable contingency urinal (CCU) — a container used on Artemis II after the notorious malfunction of their space toilet.

Christina Koch has told Mahaffey that the CCU is now stowed and sealed inside two ziploc bags.

"We feel that's unaccessible now," Koch said. "And we'd like to keep it in that config."

2026-04-10T17:25:29.996Z

Moonshots

As the astronauts wake up, we'll expect to hear more chatter from them on the comms soon, Rob Navias tells us.

In the meantime, let's take another admiring look at their astrophotography skill with some of the stunning snaps they took on their flyby of the moon.

Image 1 of 6The Earth sets as the Artemis II crew disappear behind the dark side of the moon.(Image credit: NASA)Wisps of light from the sun's corona and Earth's shine appear around the lunar disc as the Artemis II crew drift in totality behind its dark side.(Image credit: NASA)Low-angle sunlight casts long shadows near the moon's terminator line — the division between lunar day and night.(Image credit: NASA)Half of the far side of the moon in total solar eclipse. (Image credit: NASA)At the 10 o’clock position of the Orientale basin, the two small craters that the Artemis II crew suggested be named Integrity and Carroll are visible(Image credit: NASA)"Earthset". The Earth disappears as the Artemis II crew dip behind the moon's far side. (Image credit: NASA)

If you want to take a closer look, or learn about these shots in more detail, check out my story on them here.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T17:11:38.307Z

Artemis II's trajectory was modeled off Apollo 13's

The crewmembers of the Apollo 13 mission step aboard the USS Iwo Jima recovery ship after surviving their life-threatening voyage around the moon. (Image credit: NASA)

There's something delightfully poetic about how Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology, is on a trajectory modeled after the Apollo 13 mission.

The path around the moon and back to Earth is a free-return path, meaning the Orion spacecraft uses both the moon's and Earth's natural orbits to maximize efficiency.

And that's not just to save fuel — this is the same basic lifesaving geometry that helped Apollo 13 make it home after an on-board explosion sent its mission very off-script (we have this mission to thank for the phrase "Houston, we have a problem").

That means that if anything had gone wrong with Artemis II's thrusters, it would have been much less of a problem, Houston.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T17:02:50.598Z

Where we're at so far

(Image credit: NASA)

Rob Navias back with another fetching telemetry visualization for the Orion capsule Integrity.

From launch to splashdown, the mission will have logged a total distance of 694,481 miles (1,117,659 kilometers), Navias noted.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T16:47:48.150Z

'Reasons to be confident' about heat shield

The Artemis I heat shield showed troubling signs of gas buildup damage after it landed. (Image credit: NASA)

Yesterday, I reported on the issue with Orion's heat shield. The heat shield will be essential for bringing the astronauts home safely today, but some experts are concerned about how it will perform.

NASA used essentially the same heat shield for the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022, and that one suffered much more than expected. As a result, the space agency has opted to adjust the reentry path for Artemis II to mitigate risks to the heat shield.

To learn a bit more about how the shield will hold up today, I spoke with Ed Macaulay, a lecturer in physics and data science at Queen Mary University of London who recently wrote about heat shield safety concerns in The Conversation. You can read the interview here.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T16:39:13.449Z

How can the crew steer to the landing site?

(Image credit: NASA)

As Orion falls back to Earth, the crew is not flying the capsule the same way a pilot would fly an airplane.

Instead, the spacecraft uses a combination of onboard guidance and thrusters to control where it lands. The crew can monitor the process and step in if needed, but most of the work for landing is done by the spacecraft's guidance and control system. Small thrusters can help orient Orion during re-entry, making sure the heat shield stays properly positioned and the capsule follows the right path down to Earth.

According to NASA,when Orion hits the upper atmosphere just over Hawaii at around 7:37 p.m EDT, it will begin the final trajectory‑adjustment burn that fine-tunes its position to follow the proper flight path.

After that, the spacecraft will begin a series of roll maneuvers to safely separate itself from the other falling hardware due to the service module separating only moments earlier. It's at this point that Orion will reach that maximum velocity of 23,864 mph (38,405 kph).

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T16:33:52.630Z

"The stage is set"

Rob Navias back with an update from mission control.

The crew is "getting a bite to eat, completing the stowage of items in their crew cabin and everything is all set," he said. "The stage is set for their return to Earth this evening with a splashdown to the Pacific off the coast of San Diego, seven hours and 40 minutes from now."

Meanwhile, in the flight control room, a shift handover is taking place, with entry controllers led by flight director Rick Henfling stepping in.

"The vehicle is in great shape, and the weather in the splashdown zone couldn't be better," Navias added. "Winds are forecast to be 10 knots at splashdown. Wave heights less than four feet, and the wave periodics against the capsule as it bobs in the Pacific Ocean [will be] about 17 seconds.

"We are expecting a few broken and scattered clouds, but that is not an issue," he concluded. "Integrity is coming home through the law of orbital mechanics."

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T16:16:54.182Z

Where are the Artemis II crew landing?

(Image credit: NASA)

If you live near San Diego, California, you could consider waving at Orion as it hurtles toward the Pacific Ocean at the crazy fast speed of 11 km/s (40,000 km/h) or 24,606 mph.

According to NASA, the splashdown is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. EDT (0007 GMT on April 11), with the capsule landing around 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) southwest of San Diego.

This is generally the same landing site as the 2022 Artemis I mission and a strategic choice for NASA, as the area hosts a naval base for the Pacific Fleet Surface Navy. And it will be a Navy ship (the USS John Murtha from Naval Base San Diego) which has the privilege of picking up the four astronauts after they land back on Earth.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T15:47:30.630Z

Rise and shine, Integrity

And there was the wake-up call, this time with a double bill of songs. First, the actual wake-up song from Live:

Live - Run To The Water - YouTube Watch On

And then the Zac Brown Band:

Free - YouTube Watch On

With a special pre-recorded message from Zac from the Zac Brown Band: "Just want to say how proud of you we are. It takes courage and grit and freedom to chase the unknown. It's the purest kind of American spirit. Millions back home are looking up and feeling more inspired because of you. Keep flying strong. Keep flying safe. Can't wait to welcome you home."

"What a great way to start the day, Houston," said Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman. "Courage and grit. That'll stick with me and it should stick with all of you all day long."

"We got it loud and clear, Integrity," said mission control. "Can't wait to see you run to the water. See you soon. Good morning."

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T15:23:03.690Z

What's next on the Artemis playlist?

Artemis II has been famous for it's iconic wake-up songs each morning. With the astronauts selecting each song. Eager listeners can also find the 10 songs on NASA Spotify playlist. But what will be the last? Well, we have only 15 minutes or so before we find out.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T15:15:01.487Z

It's nearly wake-up time

Rob Navias is back on the NASA broadcast, this time to tell us that there are about 22 minutes left until the crew will get their wake-up call "and will begin at that point to review their morning messages and complete the configuration of the crew cabin for their high-speed entry back to Earth's atmosphere this evening."

2026-04-10T14:37:12.638Z

The view from Integrity

(Image credit: NASA)

And here's the view from Integrity's solar array wing camera.

"The Earth will grow larger and larger in the field of view as we continue to move throughout the day," Navias said.

Yeah, we get that bit, Rob.

2026-04-10T14:34:21.300Z

NASA coverage begins

(Image credit: NASA)

Rob Navias has appeared on NASA's livestream to kick off the agency's live coverage of the landing, and has also shared a handy visualization of where Orion is currently at.

"As you can see from this computer generated graphic based on real time telemetry, we are currently just 67,000 miles from the Earth," Navias said. "We passed the halfway mark last night between the Earth and the Moon, and are 186,000 miles from the moon as we close in on the planet Earth."

2026-04-10T14:02:03.236Z

What does it feel like to disappear behind the moon?

(Image credit: NASA)

The "overview effect," is a term invented by the science philosopher Frank White to describe the shift in perspective humans feel when they see Earth from space — especially how small and vulnerable our patch of cosmic oasis appears against the uninhabitable and vast backdrop that surrounds it.

When asked what it felt like to disappear behind the moon and lose radio contact with Earth, Artemis II pilot Victor Glover expressed a similar sentiment.

"I took a brief moment to say a short prayer of gratitude for being sent on this mission and trusted with bringing back scientifically relevant information," Glover said. "And I also just felt like I was hoping that people looked up and were watching to see when we came back into communication, and that maybe there was a chance that folks would feel a sense of togetherness."

"We have a moment of silence whenever something solemn [occurs] that requires reverence, or someone that we love has passed away, but maybe we could call it a moment of togetherness," he added. "And really was hoping that while we were waiting to get back in contact, that people could just feel that sense of togetherness, that we were all a crew on spaceship Earth."

2026-04-10T13:41:59.796Z

Artemis II — The Movie?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

During the same in-flight news conference, the astronauts were also asked who they would want to play them in a movie.

"We've thought a little about the movie, and I think that's way out of our pay grade," Reid Wiseman said. "But one thing we do know for sure is that this guy [pointing at Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen] is gonna be played by Buzz Lightyear. 100%. No doubt."

I can see the likeness. But Wiseman knows Buzz Lightyear isn't a real guy, right? Or what are they hiding from us?

2026-04-10T13:26:38.000Z

The crew's final reflections on their mission

A post shared by KARE 11 (@kare11)

A photo posted by on

While we can't exactly give you the inside story on the contents of the crews' dreams right now, we can at least tell you some of their reflections upon their historic journey before they went to bed.

When asked what they would tell their younger selves about what they're doing right now, Christina Koch recalled a family vacation she took to Kennedy Space Centre at age 10.

"If I could have told that little girl who took home a picture of Earthrise, and hung it in her room, that she would eventually launch from that same place, to see that same view, I'm pretty sure she would not believe it," Koch said. "But even though I still can't believe it, and she certainly wouldn't believe it, she chased that dream, and it ended up happening."

"It's such an honour to hear that we've inspired, that's truly one of the top things we ever wanted to do," she concluded.

2026-04-10T13:18:42.149Z

What are the Artemis II astronauts doing right now?

The Artemis II crew are currently taking some much needed sleep before a very busy day returning to Earth, and will be set to wake up in a couple of hours time.

Here's today's full schedule (in EDT) taken from NASA's website:

3:05 a.m.: Crew sleep begins

11:35 a.m.: Flight Day 10 crew wakeup

1:50 p.m.: Orion cabin configuration for re-entry begins

2:53 p.m.: Return trajectory correction burn

6:30 p.m.: NASA+ coverage begins

7:33 p.m.: Crew module and service module separation

7:37 p.m.: Crew module raise burn

7:53 p.m.: Entry interface

8:07 p.m.: Splashdown in the Pacific Ocean

10:30 p.m.: Post-splashdown news conference at NASA Johnson Space Center

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor 2026-04-10T13:07:17.860Z

What time is splashdown?

NASA is expecting the Artemis II crew to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean just off San Diego at 8:07 p.m. EDT. The space agency and the U.S. Navy will be waiting for them with a recovery ship.

NASA's live coverage of the crew's return to Earth will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

Patrick PesterTrending News Writer 2026-04-10T11:52:35.061Z

So what about the parachutes?

NASA's unmanned Orion spaceship comes in for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off Baja California, Mexico, on Dec. 11, 2022. (Image credit: Mario Tama/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

The heat shield's durability is certainly the big question today, but what about those parachutes Ben just mentioned?

The Orion spacecraft is fitted with 11 total parachutes, all deployed in a very specific sequence to slow, stabilize and safely lower the capsule into the ocean. They includes three forward bay cover parachutes, two drogue parachutes, three pilot parachutes and three main parachutes.

The most iconic of these are the three main parachutes, which span 116 feet (35 meters) in diameter, weigh 300 pounds (136 kilograms) and consist of 10,000 square feet of fabric each.

Reentry will see the crew enter into a six-minute radio blackout caused by a buildup of superhot plasma surrounding the capsule. After this, NASA will first deploy the two drogue parachutes at an alitude of around 6.7 kilometers (22,000 feet). Then, at around 1.8 km (6,000 ft), the three main chutes will be released, slowing the Orion capsule to a leisurely 20 mile per hour (32 kilometers per hour) descent to splashdown.

Kenna Hughes-CastleberryContent Manager 2026-04-10T11:39:55.917Z

Feeling the heat

NASA discovered a heat shield issue on the Artemis I Orion capsule after it splashed down in 2022. (Image credit: NASA)

The speed at which the Artemis II crew will return to Earth is set to be record-breaking — hitting the top of the atmosphere at around 25,000 miles per hour (40,000 kilometers per hour).

To dissipate all that energy and arrive at a much more reasonable 20 mph (32 kph) splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego, the Orion capsule will use two key pieces of technology: parachutes and a heat shield.

Artemis II's heat shield is designed to protect the crew and slow their capsule by heating up to temperatures of around 2,800 degrees Celsius (5,000 degrees Fahrenheit). Yet it has a problem: It is almost exactly the same as Artemis I's heat shield, and that infamously cracked upon reentry.

That will make this coming stage of the mission among the most dangerous.

But while they have confessed to harboring "irrational" doubts, NASA officials have said they're not worried. Why? Check out Patrick's story here for the full answer.

2026-04-10T11:30:53.908Z

What goes up

Footage from NASA's Artemis I Orion capsule as it reentered Earth's atmosphere on Dec. 11, 2022. (Image credit: NASA)

Good morning, science fans! We're back to cover the nail-biting final stage of the Artemis II mission, which has seen a four-astronaut crew embark on a 685,000-mile (1.1 million kilometers) 10-day journey around the moon and back.

The crew — consisting of commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — have captivated millions around the world with their voyage, beaming back stunning images, scientific insights, laughter and some tears as they made history and laid the groundwork for humanity's return to the moon.

Now all they have to do is return home safely.

With their reentry at record-breaking speeds through Earth's atmosphere just hours away, Live Science will be following every moment of this perilous finale to their journey, bringing you breaking updates and expert commentary. Let's see them home.

Ben TurnerActing Trending News Editor View More

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