Navy Ship Brings Orion Spacecraft Back to California

The USS John P. Murtha returned to San Diego after retrieving the Orion capsule from NASA's Artemis II mission.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:05pm

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A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones depicting the complex journey of the Orion spacecraft around the Moon, with sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals conveying the structural order of the universe.The safe return of the Orion spacecraft marks a major milestone in NASA's Artemis program, with the U.S. Navy playing a crucial role in the mission's success.Oklahoma City Today

The USS John P. Murtha, a U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock ship, has returned to Naval Base San Diego after successfully retrieving the Orion spacecraft from NASA's Artemis II mission, marking a major milestone in human space exploration.

Why it matters

The safe return of the Orion spacecraft is a critical step in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. The USS John P. Murtha's role in recovering the capsule demonstrates the U.S. military's support and capabilities in enabling these ambitious space exploration efforts.

The details

The Orion spacecraft, which carried astronauts on a 25-day journey around the Moon as part of the Artemis II mission, was retrieved by the USS John P. Murtha after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. The Navy ship then transported the capsule back to its home port in Southern California.

  • The USS John P. Murtha returned to Naval Base San Diego on April 11, 2026.
  • The Orion spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on March 17, 2026, completing the Artemis II mission.

The players

USS John P. Murtha

A U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock ship that played a key role in retrieving the Orion spacecraft from NASA's Artemis II mission.

Orion spacecraft

The spacecraft that carried astronauts on a 25-day journey around the Moon as part of the Artemis II mission, the second flight of the Orion program.

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U.S. government agency responsible for the Artemis program and the Orion spacecraft.

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What they’re saying

“The safe return of the Orion spacecraft is a critical milestone in our journey to the Moon and beyond.”

— Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator

What’s next

NASA will now begin preparations for the Artemis III mission, which is planned to land astronauts on the lunar surface in the coming years.

The takeaway

The successful retrieval of the Orion spacecraft by the USS John P. Murtha demonstrates the U.S. military's important role in supporting NASA's ambitious space exploration goals and the Artemis program's progress towards establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon.