The Digester
science

Artemis II crew prepare for Pacific splashdown after historic lunar flyby

Four astronauts will return Friday after a 10-day trip around the moon, the first crewed deep-space flight since 1972, as they complete tests and share mission milestones.

Apr 9th 2026 · United States

Insights

  • Splashdown is scheduled Friday at 5:07 p.m. PT (8:07 p.m. ET) off the coast of San Diego.
  • The 10-day mission carried the crew 252,756 miles from Earth, the farthest humans have traveled from the planet.
  • Crew members emphasized teamwork and procedures aimed at helping future Artemis missions succeed.
  • The crew proposed naming a lunar crater Carroll in memory of Commander Reid Wiseman's late wife.
  • Astronauts described reentry as intense and profound, likening it to riding a fireball through the atmosphere.

Sources