Countdown to Splashdown: How to Watch Artemis II's Return to Earth

Artemis II: A Mission for the Ages

After ten thrilling days orbiting the Moon, the Artemis II crew is set for their much-anticipated return to Earth, and this isn't just a homecoming—it's a moment steeped in scientific promise. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasizes that the mission concludes only when every astronaut has safely returned. The reentry phase is as critical as the lunar journey itself, serving as a litmus test for NASA's advancements in deep space exploration technology.

The Orion capsule is scheduled to reenter Earth's atmosphere on Friday, April 10, at 5:07 PM PDT. For space enthusiasts eager to catch the action, NASA will stream the broadcast across multiple platforms, including NASA+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Netflix, and HBO Max. You can also watch live on NASA's YouTube channel.

Broadcast Times Across the U.S.

Here's when you can tune in based on your location:

• San Francisco: 5:07 PM
• Denver: 6:07 PM
• Chicago: 7:07 PM
• New York: 8:08 PM

"The reentry represents the culmination of years of hard work and testing. We must ensure that every aspect of the technology performs flawlessly," says Isaacman.

What to Expect During Reentry

As the Orion capsule plunges back to Earth, it will enter the atmosphere southeast of Hawaii at an exhilarating speed of up to 38,400 km/h, culminating in a Pacific Ocean splashdown a mere 13 minutes later. This high-speed descent will see the capsule endure temperatures surging to 2,760 degrees Celsius. Astronauts can expect to experience forces up to 3.9 g's, a stark contrast to the microgravity of space.

Facing the Communications Blackout

During reentry, the Orion will encounter a six-minute period of communication blackout. This temporary loss of signals occurs as a plasma blanket envelops the capsule—a natural phenomenon caused by the intense heat generated during descent.

The Final Descent

As the Orion nears its destination, it will deploy its parachute system for a controlled descent leading to splashdown. Following their arrival in the ocean, the astronauts will board a recovery ship for initial medical evaluations before returning to Houston for further assessments.

The Road Ahead: What's Next for Artemis?

The Artemis II mission serves as a demonstration of NASA's capability to safely transport astronauts around the Moon—a critical step toward future lunar landings. While that can only happen with the Artemis IV mission, the Artemis III flight will refine the technologies utilized for Artemis II and address any issues that may have arisen. The agency remains zealous about achieving its ambitious objective: a sustainable return to the Moon by 2030.

In the realm of space exploration, the journey is often as significant as the destination. As we prepare for this historic moment, remember that every splashdown stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the collective resolve to reach new frontiers.