Navy Divers Prepare for Artemis II Crew's San Diego Splashdown

Former U.S. Navy diver explains the safety protocols and procedures involved in recovering the astronauts from the Orion spacecraft.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:10pm

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A highly structured abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise nautical spirals in soft, earthy tones of blue, green, and gray, conceptually representing the complex coordination and procedures involved in the recovery of the Artemis II spacecraft and crew.The intricate dance of Navy divers, spacecraft, and medical teams coming together to safely recover the Artemis II crew after their historic return to Earth.San Diego Today

As the Artemis II crew prepares to splash down off the coast of San Diego on Friday, a team of Navy divers has been training for months to safely recover the astronauts from their Orion spacecraft. Former U.S. Navy diver Thomas McConnell discussed the precautions and procedures the divers will follow, including checking for hazardous chemicals, ensuring the stability of the spacecraft, and treating the astronauts as patients who need to be handled with extreme care.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a critical step in NASA's plans to return humans to the Moon, and the safe recovery of the crew is a crucial part of the mission's success. The Navy divers play a vital role in this process, ensuring the astronauts' wellbeing and a smooth transition from spacecraft to medical care.

The details

Once the Orion spacecraft splashes down off the coast of San Diego around 8:07 p.m. EDT on Friday, the Navy divers will approach the vessel with caution, checking for any hazardous chemicals or propellants that could pose a risk. They will then assess the buoyancy and stability of the spacecraft before securing it and preparing to extract the crew. The astronauts will be treated as patients, with the divers and medical personnel on the USS John P. Murtha observing them closely and providing any necessary care before they are transported to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

  • The Artemis II spacecraft is expected to splash down off the coast of San Diego around 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. PDT) on Friday, April 12, 2026.
  • The Navy divers have been training for months to prepare for the recovery operation.

The players

Thomas McConnell

A former U.S. Navy diver who discussed the preparation and procedures involved in the Artemis II crew recovery operation.

USS John P. Murtha

The U.S. Navy ship that will receive the Artemis II crew after their spacecraft splashes down, and where the astronauts will be evaluated in the medical bay before being transported to NASA's Johnson Space Center.

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What they’re saying

“If you're training for this and you've done this work for so many months, this is your moment, this is your time to shine.”

— Thomas McConnell, Former U.S. Navy Diver

“Whenever a diver comes out of the water, they're treated as a patient. They're treated as someone who needs to be observed and needs to be watched.”

— Thomas McConnell, Former U.S. Navy Diver

“It's a great group effort between the U.S. Navy and NASA to get those astronauts out, handle them with care and get them to a higher custody of medical care so they can be assessed better.”

— Thomas McConnell, Former U.S. Navy Diver

What’s next

After the Artemis II crew is recovered and evaluated on the USS John P. Murtha, they will be flown to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston for further medical assessment and debriefing.

The takeaway

The Navy divers play a critical role in the safe recovery of the Artemis II crew, ensuring the astronauts' wellbeing and a smooth transition from spacecraft to medical care. This collaborative effort between the U.S. Navy and NASA highlights the importance of preparation and teamwork in the successful execution of complex space missions.