How to watch NASA’s Artemis II splash back down to Earth

NASA's Artemis II crew, comprising four astronauts, is set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean after a historic mission to the moon's far side. Expected re-entry is at 7:33 p.m. ET, with splashdown at 8:07 p.m. This mission, the first with humans to lunar orbit in over 50 years, aims to test the Orion spacecraft and gather vital data for future lunar adventures.

Key Points

• The Artemis II crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.
• They spent 10 days aboard the Orion spacecraft, traveling 252,760 miles from Earth.
• Splashdown is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. ET, off the coast of San Diego, California.
• The mission aims to test the spacecraft's systems and prepare for future lunar landings.
• Re-entry is particularly dangerous, especially given the issues faced with the heat shield during the Artemis I mission.

Relevance

• Artemis II is a significant step in NASA's plans for long-term lunar exploration as part of the broader Artemis program.
• This mission follows a history of lunar exploration dating back to the Apollo missions.
• The advances in spacecraft technology seen in Artemis II may set the stage for future Mars missions by 2025.

Artemis II marks a pivotal moment in space exploration, showcasing NASA's commitment to returning humans to the moon and laying the groundwork for future endeavors beyond Earth.