USS John Murtha delivers Artemis II capsule to San Diego in joyous moment for Navy, NASA

The historic splashdown and recovery of the Artemis II crew marks the first ocean landing of American astronauts in over 50 years.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:03am

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An abstract, geometric painting in soft, earthy tones of blue, green, and orange, featuring sweeping arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conveying the complex forces and dynamics of the Artemis II mission without using any text or symbols.The historic splashdown and recovery of the Artemis II crew marks a new era of collaboration between the U.S. Navy and NASA in human space exploration.San Diego Today

The USS John P. Murtha, a Navy transport ship longer than two football fields, arrived at Naval Base San Diego on Saturday morning playing Elton John's 'Rocket Man' to celebrate the successful splashdown and recovery of the Artemis II crew. The four astronauts - Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen - were plucked from the Pacific Ocean by helicopters and transported to the Murtha after their 10-day mission orbiting the moon. Despite some challenges with strong ocean currents, the Navy and NASA were able to safely recover the Orion capsule and get the astronauts onboard the ship for medical exams.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission captivated the American public and marked the first time U.S. astronauts have splashed down in the ocean since the last Apollo mission in 1972. The successful recovery by the Navy highlights the continued collaboration between the military and NASA, and the public's renewed interest in human space exploration as tensions grow between the U.S. and Iran.

The details

The Orion capsule carrying the Artemis II crew landed in the Pacific Ocean about 50 miles west of San Diego on April 10, 2026. Helicopters transported the astronauts about a mile to the USS Murtha, where Navy divers and recovery crews struggled with stronger than expected ocean currents to secure the capsule and help the crew onto a floating platform to be hoisted aboard the ship. Despite the challenges, the astronauts were safely recovered and transported to the Murtha's hospital for medical exams.

  • The Orion capsule landed in the Pacific Ocean at 5:07 p.m. on April 10, 2026.
  • The USS Murtha arrived at Naval Base San Diego on the morning of April 12, 2026.

The players

USS John P. Murtha

A Navy transport ship longer than two football fields that was tasked with recovering the Artemis II crew after their splashdown.

Reid Wiseman

The commander of the Artemis II mission, one of the four astronauts who orbited the moon.

Victor Glover

The pilot of the Artemis II mission, one of the four astronauts who orbited the moon.

Christina Koch

A mission specialist on the Artemis II mission, one of the four astronauts who orbited the moon.

Jeremy Hansen

A Canadian Space Agency astronaut and mission specialist on the Artemis II mission, one of the four astronauts who orbited the moon.

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What they’re saying

“This was not easy. Before you launch, it feels like it's the greatest dream on Earth. And when you're out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It's a special thing to be a human, and it's a special thing to be on planet Earth.”

— Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Commander

“I have not processed what we just did and I'm afraid to start even trying.”

— Victor Glover, Artemis II Pilot

“When you look up here, you're not looking at us. We are a mirror reflecting you. And if you like what you see, then just look a little deeper. This is you.”

— Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II Mission Specialist

What’s next

The Artemis II crew will undergo further medical evaluations and debriefings at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston before beginning a media tour to share their experiences from the historic mission.

The takeaway

The successful splashdown and recovery of the Artemis II crew marks a significant milestone in the renewed era of human space exploration, reigniting public interest and pride in America's space program. The collaboration between the Navy and NASA showcases the military's critical role in supporting NASA's ambitious goals, as the two organizations work together to push the boundaries of human spaceflight.