NASA's Moon Mission Splashes Down Off San Diego

Astronauts return to Earth after historic lunar flyby

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:14pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vibrant, abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric shapes and precise orbital spirals in earthy tones, conceptually representing the Orion spacecraft's journey around the Moon.The successful splashdown of NASA's Orion spacecraft marks a major milestone in the agency's ambitious plans to return humans to the Moon.San Diego Today

Four days after astronauts flew around the moon for the first time in a half-century, ground crews across Southern California are making final preparations for their high-energy reentry and splashdown off the coast of San Diego, expected later today.

Why it matters

This mission marks a major milestone in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era. The successful splashdown will demonstrate the agency's capabilities to safely transport astronauts to and from the Moon.

The details

The Artemis I mission sent an uncrewed Orion spacecraft on a 25-day journey around the Moon, paving the way for future crewed missions. The spacecraft is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, where recovery teams will retrieve the capsule and its precious cargo.

  • Artemis I launched on November 16, 2022.
  • The spacecraft flew around the Moon from November 21-25, 2022.
  • The Orion capsule is expected to splash down off San Diego on April 10, 2026.

The players

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the federal agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program, aeronautics, and space research.

Artemis Program

NASA's program to return humans to the Moon, with the goal of establishing a sustainable lunar presence and using what is learned to enable the first human mission to Mars.

Orion Spacecraft

The crew capsule being used for the Artemis missions, designed to transport astronauts to the Moon and back.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

After the successful splashdown, NASA will assess the performance of the Orion spacecraft and begin preparations for the Artemis II mission, which will send astronauts on a lunar flyby in 2024.

The takeaway

The Artemis I mission's safe return to Earth represents a major step forward in NASA's ambitious plans to establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon. This milestone paves the way for future crewed missions that could lead to new scientific discoveries and technological advancements.