CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Astronauts aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft began stowing gear for their return to Earth on April 9, 2026, during the ninth day of the Artemis 2 mission. The four-person crew, halfway home from a lunar flyby, prepared the capsule for a planned splashdown off San Diego on April 10. NASA officials said the spacecraft remained on track.
The mission is testing Orion's systems for future lunar landings. NASA altered the reentry path after issues with the heat shield during the uncrewed Artemis 1 test in 2022. The crew launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 1 and reached a peak distance of 248,655 miles from Earth on April 6, according to NASA data.
Commander Reid Wiseman leads the team, which includes NASA's Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. The astronauts completed the outbound leg without issues and now focus on securing equipment inside Orion.
Splashdown is set for about 8:07 p.m. EDT on April 10, following atmospheric entry at 7:53 p.m. EDT over the Pacific Ocean. NASA plans a lofted reentry trajectory, which involves a brief dip into the atmosphere before final descent. This method reduces heat stress on the shield, officials said.
"The crew has done their part. Now we have to do ours," NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya said in a briefing on April 9. He added, "To every engineer, every technician that's touched this machine, tomorrow belongs to you."
Ground teams have shifted focus to recovery operations. NASA will broadcast live coverage of the reentry and splashdown through its channels and partners like Space.com. The return marks the riskiest phase of the 10-day mission.
Artemis 2 is NASA's first crewed flight to lunar orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. The Space Launch System rocket propelled Orion into space. The mission validates hardware for the Artemis program, which aims for sustained lunar presence.
Engineers designed the lofted trajectory after Artemis 1 revealed unexpected charring and material loss on the heat shield. Mike Wall, a Space.com editor, described the path as similar to a stone skipping once across a pond in an analysis. NASA confirmed the adjustment minimizes risks.
The crew passed the midway point between the moon and Earth on Flight Day 9. They stowed gear to ensure a stable reentry. Officials reported no anomalies in spacecraft systems.
Recovery involves U.S. Navy vessels off the San Diego coast. Medical teams will check the astronauts after splashdown. NASA plans briefings post-recovery.
Artemis 2 builds on Artemis 1's uncrewed test and includes international partners like the Canadian Space Agency. Hansen's participation highlights collaborative efforts.
Future missions, such as Artemis 3, target a crewed lunar landing around 2027. Success in Artemis 2's reentry would validate Orion for deeper space travel, including Mars ambitions, according to NASA.
No delays have affected the timeline. Weather conditions for splashdown remain under review, officials said.
The mission duration totals 10 days. Orion carried the crew beyond low-Earth orbit for the first time in over 50 years.
NASA emphasized the handoff to ground teams. Kshatriya's comments underscored the role of support staff.
Live tracking tools from NASA provide real-time updates. Space.com maintains a live blog for the event.
Artemis 2 advances technology for lunar base camps and orbital stations like Gateway. It addresses challenges seen in commercial spacecraft reentries.
The crew's preparation includes securing loose items to prevent hazards during high-speed reentry. The mission gathered data on radiation and life support.
The splashdown site allows quick access to shore facilities. Backup locations exist if needed, officials noted.
Engineers monitor Orion's trajectory closely. The lofted path involves precise calculations to manage heat loads. G-forces during reentry stay within safe limits for the crew, based on NASA simulations.
Artemis 2's success would pave the way for expanded exploration. The program fosters alliances amid global space efforts.
Flight Day 9 activities mark the final preparations. The crew remains in good health, according to updates.
NASA plans to release more details after splashdown. The mission concludes with data analysis for future flights.
