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Forum: Exploration: Moon to Mars
Topic: NASA's Artemis II mission (Orion/SLS)

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Message to Edit: HTML is ON UBB Code is ON Smilies Legend	Originally posted by Robert Pearlman on 04-09-2026 01:41 PM NASA release <blockquote><font size="+0">[b]Crew Prepares to Come Home[/b]</font> On their last full day in space, the Artemis II crew began the morning with "Lonesome Drifter" by Charley Crockett as they approached Earth at 147,337 miles. Koch and Hansen began the day by stowing equipment they have had out during the mission, removing cargo and locker netting, installing and adjusting crew seats to ensure all items are secured before their return to Earth. As part of the day's activities, the crew will review the latest weather briefing, recovery force status, and entry timeline. Throughout the day, they also will work through post‑landing operations. Orion's thrusters are scheduled to ignite for the second return trajectory correction burn at 9:53 p.m. EDT to fine‑tune the spacecraft's path toward Earth. The maneuver will further refine Orion's trajectory and ensure the spacecraft remains aligned for atmospheric re-entry. During the burn, Hansen will review the procedure steps and monitor Orion's guidance, navigation, and propulsion systems. [b]Preparing for splashdown[/b] As Artemis II nears its return to Earth, NASA teams on the ground are completing final preparations for Orion's re-entry and splashdown around 8:07 p.m. (5:07 p.m. PDT) Friday, April 10, off the coast of San Diego. <center><a href="https://www.collectspace.com/review/artemis_ii_splashdown_slides01-lg.jpg" target="AirLock"><img src="https://www.collectspace.com/review/artemis_ii_splashdown_slides01.jpg" width="400" height="224" border="0"></a></center> [i][b]Above[/b]: Artemis II infographic showcasing the missions entry, descent, and landing milestones. This graphic was presented by Artemis II Flight Director Rick Henfling during the mission status briefing to the media and public on April 8, 2026 at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.[/i] During re-entry, the service module will separate about 20 minutes before Orion reaches the upper atmosphere southeast of Hawaii. If needed, a final trajectory‑adjustment burn will fine‑tune the flight path before the spacecraft begins a series of roll maneuvers to safely distance itself from departing hardware. Orion will reach its maximum velocity — approximately 23,864 mph — just before entry interface. <center><a href="https://www.collectspace.com/review/artemis_ii_splashdown_slides02-lg.jpg" target="AirLock"><img src="https://www.collectspace.com/review/artemis_ii_splashdown_slides02.jpg" width="400" height="224" border="0"></a></center> [i][b]Above[/b]: Infographic featuring the Artemis II Orion lofted entry sequence.[/i] <center><a href="https://www.collectspace.com/review/artemis_ii_splashdown_slides03-lg.jpg" target="AirLock"><img src="https://www.collectspace.com/review/artemis_ii_splashdown_slides03.jpg" width="400" height="224" border="0"></a></center> [i][b]Above[/b]: Infographic displaying the Artemis II Orion parachute sequence.[/i] As Orion descends through about 400,000 feet, the spacecraft will enter a planned six‑minute communications blackout as plasma forms around the capsule during peak heating. The crew is expected to experience up to 3.9 Gs in a nominal landing profile. After emerging from blackout, Orion will jettison its forward bay cover, deploy its drogue parachutes near 22,000 feet, and then unfurl its three main parachutes around 6,000 feet to slow the capsule for splashdown off the coast of San Diego. <center><a href="https://www.collectspace.com/review/artemis_ii_splashdown_slides04-lg.jpg" target="AirLock"><img src="https://www.collectspace.com/review/artemis_ii_splashdown_slides04.jpg" width="400" height="224" border="0"></a></center> [i][b]Above[/b]: Ground track map displaying the Artemis II Orion parachute sequence.[/i] Within two hours after splashdown, the crew will be extracted from Orion and flown to the USS John P. Murtha. Recovery teams will retrieve the crew using helicopters, and once aboard the ship, the astronauts will undergo post‑mission medical evaluations before returning to shore to board an aircraft bound for NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.</blockquote>
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