I am obviously MUCH older than you, Orion !!

But then excitement isn’t governed by age

Day 9 - Highlights

Artemis II’s last full day in space kicked off with prep for their return to Earth. They studied their procedures for reentry and splashdown communicating back and forth with the flight control team as needed


Mission Daily Briefing/Q & A

Artemis II crew speaks to Congress on this Downlink Event

Day 10 - Re-entry, Splashdown & Recovery Highlights

The Artemis II and the crew's final day in space has come to an end with a perfect re-entry and splashdown. They spent the day stowing the cabin, configured Integrity for re-entry then donned their bright orange entry suits waiting for re-entry to begin. The Crew Module hit entry interface at 122 km altitude, 76 miles, reaching 38,365 km/h (6.6 miles per second) and peaking at 3.9 G’s before deploying its forward bay cover, drogues, and three main parachutes for a gentle 20 mph splashdown in the Pacific. Welcome home!

Mission Updates

NASA's Artemis II Post-Splashdown News Conference - starts 4:25 minutes in

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Re-entry

Artemis II began re-entry into Earth's atmosphere around 7:50 pm EST for a splashdown at 8:07 pm EST

This is the most dangerous part of the flight with the heat shield experiencing approximately 3000 to 5000 degrees F while entering Earth's atmosphere. After traveling beyond the Moon, nearly 270,000 miles from Earth, the capsule worked up a speed of 24,000 miles per hour upon entry slamming through Earth’s atmosphere. Friction cut that speed to 300+ mph in a matter of minutes

Orion and the Service Module separated before re-entry leaving the service module to burn up in Earth's atmosphere. Orion positioned itself at the right angle so not to bounce off earth's atmosphere thrown back into space for another try splashing down elsewhere or burn up entering earth's atmosphere. There was a 6 minute blackout period during this time. That 6 minute blackout period will feel like hours not only to the crew, Mission Control but all watching around the world

How it Works - A 2014 video a NASA engineer explains the heat shield on Orion


Splashdown

Once in earth's atmosphere traveling at 300+ mph a series of parachutes deployed slowing the craft down to 20 mph splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the San Diego coastline at 8:07 pm EST. After splashdown recovery efforts began. The USS John P. Murtha was onsite to start the recovery efforts

Artemis 2 Earth Re-entry, Splashdown and Recovery Plan Explained by NASA

Video of Recovery

Launch to Splashdown

I can't wait! I will be so relieved to have them safe and sound back on terra firma!

Yes indeed, it will be good to have them home!

I have found following both live coverage and Track Artemis work very well together

Glued...

So fantastic to be able to see everything in as much detail as we did !!

Just fabulous !!

And what an absolute accomplishment 🌟

They are back home. Orion splashed down at the exact time calculated, 8:07 EST. The entire mission was flown like that. Not only does NASA have a very good craft they a very very good team. The entire mission was flawless.....except for a toilet issue

Thanks for all the links and info Orion.

Great splash down last night

Thanks again Orion for the awesome information

Thanks Orion

I was glued to the TV until I saw them walk into the medical bay. Wow. Just wow.

If you missed re-entry this video starts when Orion and the Service Module separate. At 14:20 you'll see Earth coming into view in one of Orion's windows as they lower into the Earth's atmosphere, an amazing site. Re-entry begins - Full Artemis II re-entry to Earth

Changes and updates made to day 10

I second all the “thanks” Orion.

I watched “live” the whole “return to earth” and then re-wound it and watched it all over again !!

Such an accomplishment for NASA and those four very brave human beings