Artemis II Crew Conducts Final Tests on Return to Earth, Splashdown Set for April 10

The Artemis II crew is conducting final systems tests and cabin preparations as the Orion spacecraft races back to Earth at 25,000 mph following the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972. NASA released first photographs from the far side of the moon taken by the crew. Splashdown is targeted for 8:07 PM EDT on April 10 off the coast of San Diego, where USS John P. Murtha will conduct recovery operations. The crew, Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen, answered press questions on April 8 before beginning re-entry preparations including seat installation and equipment stowage.