California Hosts Artemis II Splashdown Watch Parties

NASA's historic moon mission nears its end with astronaut return to Earth

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:35pm

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A bold, abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals in earthy tones of green, brown, and blue, conceptually representing the complex forces and concepts of the Artemis II mission.As the Artemis II mission nears its conclusion, Californians prepare to collectively witness the spacecraft's triumphant return to Earth.Los Angeles Today

Californians in several cities will have the opportunity to celebrate the historic Artemis II mission by gathering in person to watch the astronauts return to Earth on Friday, April 10. Splashdown is expected around 5:07 p.m. PT off the coast of San Diego, and NASA is providing live streaming options for those who can't attend a local watch party.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a significant milestone in NASA's plans to return humans to the moon, and the splashdown event will mark the successful completion of this historic journey. Hosting local watch parties allows Californians to come together and share in the excitement of this momentous occasion.

The details

NASA's Artemis II mission launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 1, and the astronauts are now set to return to Earth on Friday, April 10. The splashdown is expected to occur around 5:07 p.m. PT off the coast of San Diego. Several cities across California, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and Oakland, are hosting watch parties where residents can gather to witness the astronauts' return live.

  • The Artemis II mission launched from Florida on April 1, 2026.
  • Splashdown is expected around 5:07 p.m. PT on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The players

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

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What they’re saying

“Californians don't need to attend a watch party to see the Artemis II crew return live.”

— NASA

What’s next

NASA will provide live streaming options for those who cannot attend a local watch party, allowing Californians across the state to witness the historic Artemis II splashdown.

The takeaway

The Artemis II splashdown event is a significant milestone in NASA's plans to return humans to the moon, and Californians have the unique opportunity to come together and celebrate this historic moment through local watch parties or live streaming options.