Artemis II: Crew Prepares for Historic Moon Mission Re-entry and Splashdown

The Artemis II crew is scheduled to return to Earth on April 10, 2026, marking the conclusion of a historic 10-day lunar flyby mission. The spacecraft, named Integrity, is set to perform a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean after completing a trajectory that took the crew around the far side of the Moon.

The mission is crewed by Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The team exited the lunar sphere of influence—the point where the Moon’s gravity is stronger than Earth’s pull on the spacecraft—on April 7, 2026.

Re-entry Preparations and Technical Procedures

As the crew approaches Earth, they are executing a series of critical cabin configurations and technical maneuvers to ensure a safe re-entry. On April 9, 2026, the crew began the process of stowing equipment used during the mission and removing cargo and locker netting.

A primary focus of the final flight day involves the installation and adjustment of crew seats. These steps are mandatory to ensure all items within the cabin are secured before the spacecraft encounters the intense forces of re-entry.

The technical return sequence includes a return trajectory correction burn. The second of these burns was scheduled for 9:53 p.m. On April 9, 2026, using the Orion spacecraft’s thrusters to refine the path toward the Pacific splashdown site.

Flight control teams and the crew are also reviewing the latest weather briefings, the status of the recovery force, and the specific entry timeline to coordinate the final descent.

Mission Milestones and Crew Experience

The Artemis II mission has served as a critical test of the Orion spacecraft’s capabilities. During the journey, the crew maintained a fitness regimen using a cable-based flywheel system capable of supporting both aerobic workouts, such as rowing, and resistive movements like squats and deadlifts.

On April 8, 2026, the crew was positioned 200,278 miles from Earth and 83,549 miles from the Moon. While the mission has been characterized by its record-breaking nature, the return phase is regarded as one of the most dangerous portions of the journey due to the high-velocity atmospheric entry.

On the evening of April 9, 2026, the crew participated in a press conference with members of Congress to discuss the potential of the mission and its role in inspiring future generations.

It is unbelievable to think that we could build an international team led by the United States of America and set our sights out on a sustained presence on the moon and onto Mars and then we can go and achieve it

Commander Reid Wiseman

Commander Wiseman further described the current era as the golden age of space travel, noting that there is limitless potential for future exploration.

Recovery and Landing

NASA teams on the ground are currently completing final preparations for the re-entry and splashdown. The Orion capsule is designed to enter the atmosphere as a fireball before deploying parachutes for a controlled descent into the ocean.

The recovery operation involves a specialized ship tasked with retrieving the Orion spacecraft from the Pacific Ocean, rather than utilizing a standard aircraft carrier.

The successful return of the four astronauts will conclude a mission that began with a crew selection process in April 2023 and three years of intensive joint training.