Glimpses from Artemis II's dramatic return to Earth.
NASA's Orion spacecraft completes a historic Moon mission with a precise Pacific Ocean splashdown and recovery operation.
IMAGE: NASA's Orion spacecraft descends under parachutes into the Pacific Ocean off California on April 10, 2026, carrying Artemis II crew Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency after a 10-day lunar mission. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
Key Points
- Artemis II marked NASA's first crewed lunar mission in decades, completing a 10-day journey around the Moon.
- Orion splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean, supported by coordinated recovery operations involving US military teams.
- The mission advances preparations for future crewed lunar landings and long-term human exploration, including eventual missions to Mars.
IMAGE: Orion approaches the Pacific Ocean under parachutes as part of a controlled descent near California. Photograph: Kind courtesy Joel Kowsky/NASA
Controlled Descent Over Pacific
IMAGE: Orion glides toward splashdown under its main parachutes after completing its lunar orbit mission. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
Final Moments Before Splashdown
IMAGE: Orion descends over the Pacific Ocean during its return phase following Artemis II mission on April 10, 2026. Photograph: Kind courtesy Josh Valcarcel/NASA
Touchdown in Open Waters
IMAGE: Orion lands in the Pacific Ocean off California as recovery teams prepare to secure the capsule. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
Recovery Operations Underway
IMAGE: Orion carrying Artemis II crew splashes down near San Diego, concluding its lunar mission. Photograph: Kind courtesy NASA
Mission Control Celebrates Success
IMAGE: The NASA team reacts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston following the successful Artemis II splashdown. Photograph: Kind courtesy John Kraus/NASA
Public Witnesses Historic Return
IMAGE: Crowds at the Air and Space Museum in San Diego react with emotion as Orion splashes down. Photograph: Sandy Huffaker/Reuters
IMAGE: Crowds gather at the Air and Space Museum in San Diego to watch the Orion splashdown live. Photograph: Sandy Huffaker/Reuters
IMAGE: Spectators observe the Artemis II splashdown event as the mission concludes successfully. Photograph: Sandy Huffaker/Reuters
IMAGE: Enthusiastic crowds react as Orion returns safely to Earth after its Moon mission. Photograph: Sandy Huffaker/Reuters
IMAGE: The Orion spacecraft floats in the Pacific Ocean. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
IMAGE: Orion carrying Artemis II crew members lands safely. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
Orion Secured After Splashdown
IMAGE: Recovery teams move toward the Orion spacecraft after its arrival on Earth. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
IMAGE: A US Navy MH-60 Seahawk flies overhead as boats approach the Orion following splashdown during Artemis II recovery operations. Photograph: Kind courtesy Joel Kowsky/NASA
Coordinated Naval Recovery Begins
IMAGE: Two US Navy MH-60 Seahawks hover above as recovery teams converge on the Orion. Photograph: Kind courtesy Joel Kowsky/NASA
IMAGE: NASA and US military teams secure the Orion spacecraft before transferring the crew to the USS John P Murtha. Photograph: Kind courtesy Joel Kowsky/NASA
Airlift From Ocean to Recovery Ship
IMAGE: US Navy divers assist Artemis II astronauts aboard an inflatable raft as helicopters prepare to airlift them after splashdown near San Diego. Photograph: Kind courtesy NASA
Final Crew Extraction Operations
IMAGE: Astronaut Victor Glover is lifted aboard a Navy MH-60 Seahawk during post-splashdown recovery operations. Photograph: Kind courtesy Joel Kowsky/NASA
IMAGE: Astronaut Jeremy Hansen is airlifted by a Navy MH-60 Seahawk as recovery efforts continue in the Pacific Ocean. Photograph: Kind courtesy Joel Kowsky/NASA
Crew Airlifted to Recovery Ship
IMAGE: A Navy MH-60 Seahawk transports Astronauts Reid Wiseman and Jeremy Hansen to the USS John P Murtha after splashdown. Photograph: Kind courtesy Joel Kowsky/NASA
IMAGE: Astronaut Christina Koch is assisted on the flight deck of the USS John P Murtha. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
IMAGE: Astronaut Jeremy Hansen is helped off the flight deck. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
Final Steps of Crew Recovery
IMAGE: Astronaut Victor Glover aboard a Navy MH-60 Seahawk on the USS John P Murtha flight deck after recovery operations. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
Astronauts Safely Aboard Recovery Ship
IMAGE: Astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch aboard a Navy MH-60 Seahawk. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
IMAGE: Astronauts Reid Wiseman and Jeremy Hansen aboard a Navy Seahawk on the USS John P Murtha. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
IMAGE: Astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch interact with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman aboard the recovery ship after the mission. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
Post-Mission Health Checks Begin
IMAGE: Astronauts Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen speak with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman following their return to Earth. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
IMAGE: Astronauts consult with NASA Flight Surgeon Richard Scheuring during initial post-splashdown health checks. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
Crew Members Recuperate On Deck
IMAGE: Commander Reid Wiseman rests aboard a Navy MH-60 Seahawk on the flight deck. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
IMAGE: Astronaut Jeremy Hansen aboard a Navy Seahawk. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
Emotional Moments After Return
IMAGE: Commander Reid Wiseman embraces NASA Flight Surgeon Richard Scheuring. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bill Ingalls/NASA
Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
