Artemis II Capsule Set for Splashdown West of San Diego
The Artemis II re-entry could generate a sonic boom along the San Diego County coast Friday. The National Weather Service reported favorable conditions at 2:30 p.m.
Splashdown west of San Diego is expected at roughly 5:07 p.m. Local officials and spectators are monitoring the event closely.
Weather around the splashdown
Forecast details indicate light winds and moderate seas near the recovery zone. Conditions were within normal seasonal ranges.
- Winds: 9–11 mph from the west, below typical speeds for the season.
- Waves: 3–4 feet, arriving from the west-southwest.
- Sea surface temperature: about 64°F, near normal.
- Landing area: approximately 50–60 miles off San Diego.
- Skies: portions of the landing corridor were clear, but clouds were expected to increase.
Visibility and public viewing
Large crowds gathered along the coastline hoping for a sighting. Many sought views of the Artemis II capsule parachutes during descent.
Officials warned viewing could be difficult. The splashdown site is far offshore and the parachutes are relatively small.
Recovery operations
The recovery plan names the San Diego-based warship USS John P. Murtha as the primary retrieval vessel. Navy divers will guide the four astronauts out of the Orion capsule.
After recovery, the crew will be helicoptered to Naval Air Station North Island. From there, they will transfer to a jet bound for Houston.
Where to follow updates
For live coverage and follow-up reporting from the recovery zone, visit Filmogaz.com. Updates will include post-splashdown status and crew transport details.
