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Navy Recovers Artemis II Crew Near San Diego
10 Apr
Summary
- Orion spacecraft with four astronauts is returning Friday.
- U.S. Navy is aiding in the recovery of the capsule and crew.
- San Diego hosts the mission's splashdown and recovery efforts.

The Artemis II mission is culminating with the Orion spacecraft's return, scheduled for a splashdown off the coast of San Diego. Four astronauts are expected to complete their lunar journey, with recovery operations led by the U.S. Navy, a significant presence in the San Diego area. This homecoming marks a proud moment for the community, drawing residents and visitors to witness the crew's safe arrival.
The mission saw the astronauts travel around the moon, reaching over 252,000 miles from Earth. Their return is being facilitated by San Diego-based sailors working alongside NASA. The USS John P. Murtha, a Navy landing platform dock, will be instrumental in bringing the Orion capsule and its crew aboard.
Community members express pride and excitement for this peaceful mission, highlighting the Navy's role. The San Diego Air and Space Museum is also celebrating this milestone, drawing parallels to the historic Apollo program and inspiring a new generation to pursue deep space exploration, with aspirations of future Mars landings. Weather conditions for the splashdown are being monitored closely.