Mission Status: NASA’s Artemis II spacecraft is in its final phase of return, with the four-person crew on track for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 10, 2026, at approximately 8:07 p.m. EDT.
Latest reports indicate all systems remain nominal as Orion coasts back toward Earth after a successful lunar flyby.
The Orion capsule has already achieved a historic milestone, reaching a maximum distance of 252,756 miles from Earth—a new record for crewed spaceflight. Having passed this apogee, the spacecraft is now gradually descending on a trajectory that will bring it closer to Earth over the next 24 hours. Mission controllers confirm all core systems are operating nominally, with the crew focused on final preparations for reentry.
It is pertinent to add here that the Artemis II astronauts have completed their lunar-observation objectives and are now concentrating on mission-critical tasks: stowing equipment, conducting life-support system checks, and running through final entry procedures. At the same time, recovery teams have been strategically positioned in the Pacific ahead of the anticipated Friday return.
Experts say while Artemis II will not surpass Apollo 10’s atmospheric reentry speed record of 24,816 mph (39,938 km/h), latest trajectory calculations indicate the mission will still achieve impressive velocities during its fiery descent. NASA continues to provide real-time updates via its Artemis Real-time Orbit Website, allowing the public to monitor Orion’s position, Earth-Moon distances, and estimated splashdown time as the historic mission enters its final hours.
NASA Artemis II astronauts Moon mission completes translunar burn
