Navy Ship Named After Congressman to Aid Artemis II Splashdown

USS John Murtha will recover Orion astronauts after historic moon mission.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:53pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in earthy tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conveying the complex forces and concepts of space exploration without using any text or symbols.The USS Murtha's recovery of the Orion spacecraft marks a historic milestone in NASA's Artemis program, honoring the legacy of Congressman Murtha's support for space exploration.Johnstown Today

The USS John Murtha, a Navy ship named after the late Congressman John Murtha of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, will be the primary recovery vessel when the Orion spacecraft splashes down in the Pacific Ocean at the end of the Artemis II mission. The ship's crew and specialized dive team will assist with the recovery and any necessary medical aid for the returning astronauts.

Why it matters

Congressman Murtha was a longtime champion of the US military and a supporter of space exploration, making the USS Murtha's role in this historic Artemis II mission a fitting tribute to his legacy. The successful splashdown and recovery will mark a major milestone in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon.

The details

The USS John Murtha, commanded by Captain Erik Kenny, will use Sea Hawk helicopters to track the Orion capsule during its descent and then deploy a specialized dive team to assist with the recovery and provide any necessary medical aid to the astronauts.

  • The Artemis II mission is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean on Friday.
  • The USS Murtha will be the primary recovery ship on hand for the splashdown.

The players

USS John Murtha

A US Navy ship named after the late Congressman John Murtha, who was a longtime supporter of the military and space exploration.

Capt. Erik Kenny

The commanding officer of the USS John Murtha.

John Murtha

The late Congressman from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, who served in the US Marines for over 35 years and was a champion of the military and a visionary for space exploration.

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What they’re saying

“It is a fitting tribute to Congressman Murtha, who dedicated his life to serving our nation, that the ship bearing his name will be integral to this historic moment in space exploration.”

— Capt. Erik Kenny, Commanding Officer, USS John P. Murtha

What’s next

The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 11, 2026, marking the successful completion of the Artemis II mission. The USS Murtha and its crew will be on hand to recover the astronauts and provide any necessary medical assistance.

The takeaway

The USS Murtha's role in the Artemis II splashdown recovery honors the legacy of Congressman John Murtha, a longtime supporter of the US military and space exploration. This mission represents a significant milestone for NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon.