Oklahoman Joins Navy Dive Team for Artemis II Splashdown

Petty Officer 2nd Class Samantha Nguyen was part of the recovery effort for the historic moon mission.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:56am

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A bold, abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and oranges depicting sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and structures of space exploration.The U.S. Navy's critical role in supporting major space missions is highlighted by an Oklahoma diver's participation in the Artemis II recovery operation.Oklahoma City Today

Petty Officer 2nd Class Samantha Nguyen, an Oklahoma native, was part of the U.S. Navy dive team that recovered the Artemis II spacecraft after its successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Nguyen, a Navy diver based in San Diego, was one of the first responders to reach the Orion capsule and assist the astronauts as they exited the vehicle following their historic mission around the Moon.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission marked the first crewed flight of NASA's new Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, paving the way for future lunar landings. Nguyen's participation as part of the Navy's recovery team highlights the critical role the military plays in supporting major space exploration efforts.

The details

Nguyen, a 28-year-old from Oklahoma City, has been with the Navy for six years and is an expert in deep-sea diving operations. She was one of several Navy divers who parachuted into the Pacific to secure the Orion capsule and provide initial medical checks on the four astronauts inside before they were hoisted aboard a recovery ship.

  • The Artemis II mission launched on November 16, 2024 and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on November 28, 2024.
  • Petty Officer 2nd Class Samantha Nguyen was part of the Navy dive team that recovered the Orion spacecraft shortly after splashdown.

The players

Petty Officer 2nd Class Samantha Nguyen

A 28-year-old Navy diver from Oklahoma City who was part of the recovery team for the Artemis II mission.

Artemis II

The second mission in NASA's Artemis program, which marked the first crewed flight of the new Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

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What they’re saying

“Being part of the Artemis II recovery was an incredible honor. I'm proud to represent Oklahoma and the U.S. Navy in supporting this historic mission.”

— Petty Officer 2nd Class Samantha Nguyen, Navy Diver

What’s next

The Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface, is currently scheduled for late 2025.

The takeaway

The successful Artemis II mission and recovery operation showcases the critical role the U.S. military plays in enabling major space exploration efforts, with Oklahoman Petty Officer Samantha Nguyen representing her home state as part of the Navy dive team.