NASA Artemis II Mission: Astronauts Prepare for Earth Reentry

NASA’s Artemis II mission is entering its final phase as the crew prepares for re-entry and a scheduled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026. The mission serves as a critical technical precursor to future crewed lunar landings, testing the Orion spacecraft’s systems during a journey that took the astronauts around the far side of the Moon.

The crew consists of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The team was selected in April 2023 and underwent three years of joint training prior to the mission.

Flight Timeline and Trajectory

The spacecraft exited the lunar sphere of influence—the point where the Moon’s gravitational pull is stronger than Earth’s—on April 7, 2026, following a swing around the far side of the Moon on April 6, 2026.

On April 9, 2026, the crew was approaching Earth at a distance of 147,337 miles. To ensure a precise return path, the Orion spacecraft’s thrusters were scheduled to ignite for a second return trajectory correction burn at 9:53 p.m. EDT on April 9, 2026.

Re-entry and Technical Preparations

As the crew prepares for the riskiest phase of the mission, they are executing a specific cabin configuration protocol for re-entry. This process involves stowing equipment used during the mission, removing cargo and locker netting, and installing and adjusting crew seats to ensure all items are secured for the descent.

The astronauts are also reviewing critical operational data, including:

• The latest weather briefings for the landing zone.
• The current status of the recovery force.
• The detailed entry timeline.
• Post-landing operations.

Recovery and Splashdown

The mission is scheduled to conclude with a splashdown in the waters off Southern California on April 10, 2026. Lili Villarreal, the recovery and landing director for Artemis II, has developed the recovery playbook to manage the transition of the crew from the Orion spacecraft back to Earth.

This mission represents a key step in NASA’s broader strategy to resume crewed lunar landings. By successfully navigating the return trajectory and managing the high-stress environment of atmospheric re-entry, NASA validates the safety and reliability of the Orion spacecraft for future deep-space exploration.