Artemis II crew scheduled to splashdown off San Diego coast on Friday evening

SAN DIEGO, California – Artemis II’s mission to the moon is nearing completion, but first comes a safe landing off the coast of San Diego.

The Orion spacecraft, carrying four astronauts, is expected to return on Friday. US Navy helps recover capsule and crew from the Pacific Ocean.

San Diego, a city with deep Navy roots, plays a central role in these efforts. Many bases in the region are leading the recovery, bringing a sense of pride and excitement to the community.

Locals and visitors from across the country are expected to gather along the coastline and at museums in the area to witness the crew’s return home.

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“We’re back in the deep space game,” said Jim Kidrick, president and CEO of the San Diego Air and Space Museum. “You go back to General Patton, World War II, you know, Americans love a winner… and they can’t stand a loser.”

The mission marks the latest chapter in space exploration, finishing off the coast of Southern California, at least for now.

Astronauts aboard Orion are returning home after orbiting the moon, reaching more than 252,000 miles from Earth.

“I think people are rejuvenated by one word for what’s going on in space today, and that’s the moon,” Kidrick said. he added.

In this image provided by NASA, Artemis II crew members (left to right), Victor Glover Jeremy Hansen, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch, pause to turn the camera for a selfie midway through a lunar observing period as it passes by the Moon on Monday, April 6, 2026. (NASA via AP)

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At the museum, the story of the Apollo program is front and center once again as attention shifts back to deep space after more than 50 years.

“There are so many… historic moments that happened. So just being a part of one of them is amazing,” said Abigail Lawrence, who was visiting from Utah.

Others who visited San Diego for the splash shared similar excitement.

A spacesuit associated with Neil Armstrong is on display at the San Diego Air and Space Museum, highlighting the legacy of the Apollo era. (FOX)

“You know what? What could be better than coming back to San Diego? I don’t know, I can’t think of anything. Anything,” Sheila Haas said.

Marines based in San Diego are also working on the front lines. NASA will save the Orion capsule Pacific and bring it to USS John P. Murtha, a Navy landing platform dock (LPD).

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“I’m happy to see that the Navy can use LPD for such a peaceful mission,” said Navy veteran David Haas. “LPD is good for all kinds of things, all around ships. So it makes me happy.”

Following reentry, Navy recovery teams will secure the spacecraft and assist the crew in egressing safely.

“Our Navy, along with the NASA recovery team, are ensuring that the astronauts complete this mission in spectacular fashion and very safely,” Kidrick said.

back Air and Space At the museum, thousands of eyes are expected to be in the sky on Friday evening, hoping that the next generation will continue to push deeper into space.

The San Diego Air and Space Museum in bright sunlight before the launch of Artemis II. (FOX)

“We can inspire them, educate them and excite them… young boys and girls who will truly be the next generation,” Kidrick said. he said. “There can’t be one great generation… The generations that follow you will have a great future because someone is going to land on Mars.”

There must be no rain or storms within 35 miles of the splash zone for Artemis II to land off the coast of San Diego.

Forecasters are currently monitoring a storm in the Pacific, but so far conditions look OK for Friday.