NASA To Livestream Artemis 2 Splashdown As Crew Returns To Earth

NASA To Livestream Artemis 2 Splashdown As Crew Returns To Earth...

NASA will broadcast the Artemis 2 mission's splashdown live today as the four-person crew returns to Earth after a 10-day lunar flyby. The event marks the first crewed return from deep space since Apollo 17 in 1972, sparking nationwide interest in the historic landing.

The Orion capsule is scheduled to parachute into the Pacific Ocean near San Diego at 12:35 p.m. EDT, where recovery teams stand ready. Millions of Americans are expected to watch the livestream as NASA tests critical reentry systems for future Moon landings.

This mission represents a major step toward NASA's goal of returning astronauts to the lunar surface by late 2026. The crew includes commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen - the first Canadian to travel beyond low-Earth orbit.

Public interest surged this week as NASA released stunning Earth-Moon images captured during the mission. Schools across the country are tuning in, with science teachers incorporating the event into Friday lessons. The Navy's USS John P. Murtha will lead recovery operations.

Viewers can watch on NASA TV, the agency's website, or major news networks. The broadcast begins at 11:00 a.m. EDT with extensive coverage of the final descent phase. Successful completion would clear the way for Artemis 3's planned lunar landing.