Solar array wing-mounted cameras capture close-up images of NASA’s Orion spacecraft during a routine external inspection on the sixth day into the Artemis II mission. At the time this photo was taken at 8:27 a.m. ET, the crew was in a sleep period ahead of beginning their seventh day into the mission. (NASA, Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)
HOUSTON – After traveling hundreds of thousands of miles around the moon, the four astronauts aboard Artemis II are set to make their return to Earth Friday evening, with a high-stakes splashdown marking the final and most dangerous phase of the mission.
The spacecraft, Orion, will slam into Earth’s atmosphere at blistering speeds before parachuting into the Pacific Ocean, a process that lasts just minutes but carries the highest risk of the entire journey.
The four Artemis II astronauts, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, begin their day aboard Orion.
12:50 p.m. CT
Crew begins preparing the cabin for re-entry, securing equipment and getting into position.
1:53 p.m. CT
A final trajectory correction burn is scheduled, if needed, to keep the spacecraft on course.
The astronauts will also review their reentry checklist to make sure that they are each properly in their space suits, which will help protect them on the potentially bumpy ride down, and clear on their responsibilities during the fall.
Orion’s service module separates from the crew capsule.
6:37 p.m. CT
Final burn positions Orion for re-entry.
6:53 p.m. CT
Orion hits Earth’s upper atmosphere, beginning a roughly 13-minute descent. At this time, the capsule will be traveling at about 24,000 miles per hour.
6:53–6:59 p.m. CT
Communications blackout as plasma builds around the spacecraft.
About 7:02 p.m. CT
Parachute sequence begins as Orion slows significantly. The spacecraft will plunge 200,000 feet, at which point it will experience temperatures reaching 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius) because air molecules ahead of it will compress so violently, according to NASA.
About 7:03 p.m. CT
Drogue parachutes deploy to stabilize the capsule. The spacecraft will be traveling just under the speed of sound at around 35,000 feet above Earth’s surface.
Shortly after 7:03 p.m. CT
Main parachutes deploy (It has four sets: the forward bay cover parachutes, the drogues, the pilots and the mains), slowing Orion to about 17 mph.
The drogue deployment will occur at around 10 minutes in, bringing Orion from 24,000 feet to 6,800 feet. The pilots will then deploy, followed by the mains, which will guide the spacecraft gently down to the water through its final 5,000 feet at around 17 mph.
7:07 p.m. CT
Splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego.
By about 9:07 p.m. CT
Recovery teams are expected to retrieve the astronauts and bring them aboard a U.S. Navy ship for medical checks.
Infographic featuring the Artemis II Orion lofted entry sequence. 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. (NASA)
This marks a major milestone for NASA, as Artemis II is the first crewed mission to travel around the moon since the Apollo era and a key step toward returning humans to the lunar surface.
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.