The Artemis II astronauts have officially started their journey back to Earth, marking the final phase of their historic mission around the Moon. At 10:55 pm IST on Tuesday, the Orion spacecraft exited the Moon’s sphere of influence, the region where lunar gravity dominates. With that transition, Earth’s gravitational pull has once again taken over.
The spacecraft had earlier used the Moon’s gravity as a natural slingshot, gaining the speed required for its return trajectory toward Earth.
What Happens Next for the Crew?
With the Moon now behind them, the astronauts are entering a three-day transit phase back to Earth. This period is critical for fine-tuning the spacecraft’s path and preparing for reentry. The crew will carry out a series of trajectory correction burns, brief, controlled engine firings, to ensure Orion enters Earth’s atmosphere at the precise angle.
The margin for error is extremely small. A shallow angle could cause the capsule to skip off the atmosphere, while a steep entry could expose it to dangerously high temperatures.
How Will Orion Reenter Earth?
The most intense phase of the mission is expected on Friday (April 10), when Orion makes its return. The spacecraft will hit Earth’s atmosphere at nearly 40,000 kilometres per hour, generating extreme heat of around 2,760 degrees Celsius.
To manage this, Orion will use a “skip reentry” technique, briefly dipping into the atmosphere to slow down, rising back out and then reentering for the final descent. This approach reduces stress on the spacecraft and crew while allowing for a controlled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Splashdown Site and Final Recovery
The Artemis II mission is set to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:37 am IST on April 11 (Saturday). A US Navy recovery team, led by the USS John P. Murtha, is already stationed in the designated landing zone to receive the spacecraft.
Once Orion reenters and deploys its parachutes, divers will move in to secure the capsule and assist the four astronauts as they are safely transferred onto the recovery vessel.
This moment will mark the successful completion of humanity’s first crewed mission to the lunar frontier in more than 50 years.
