Artemis II splash down visible off California coast Friday

NASA's Artemis II is expected to splash down about 5:07 p.m. Friday, April 10, roughly 50–70 miles off San Diego between Catalina and San Clemente islands as the four-person crew ends a 10-day lunar mission.

NASA's Artemis II is scheduled to splash down off the San Diego coast at about 5:07 p.m. Friday, April 10. The Orion capsule will return four astronauts at the end of a 10-day mission that took them farther from Earth than any humans before. The expected splash zone is in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 50–70 miles offshore between Catalina Island and San Clemente Island. Local events include a watch party at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Key details: - Expected splash time: about 5:07 p.m. Friday, April 10. - Splash zone: Pacific Ocean, roughly 50–70 miles off San Diego, between Catalina and San Clemente islands. - Crew and mission: four astronauts returning after a 10-day mission and a record distance from Earth. - Recovery operations: a Navy helicopter squadron from Naval Air Station North Island will track and lift the crew, and the San Diego-based USS John P. Murtha will help recover the capsule. - Heat shield test: the Orion heat shield — a 16.5-foot-wide dome — will face about 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit during reentry; coating adjustments were made after observations from Artemis I. - Weather: forecasts note a chance of rain and possible thunderstorms, but officials say conditions are expected to cooperate with recovery efforts. Summary: The planned splash down will conclude Artemis II and serve as a field test of Orion's upgraded heat shield as the capsule returns through intense reentry conditions. Navy recovery teams will retrieve the astronauts and recover the capsule, with the recovery ship expected to return to shore the following morning.