Artemis 2 splashdown will be broadcast live on NASA+ with transmission starting 11.30pm UK time [WORLD NEWS]
Husna Anjum Senior Reporter and Oliver Radcliffe
07:44, 10 Apr 2026
(Image: Getty)
Artemis II it set to conclude its historic voyage as it prepares for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Extraordinarily, a space centre in Cornwall is set to provide communication support for the mission’s completion. Goonhilly, a ground station located near Helston, was involved in NASA’s historic Artemis II voyage as it tracked the Orion spacecraft while it orbited the moon and returns to earth.
The team at the satellite company are confident that tracking the spacecraft will showcase the UK’s, and specifically Cornwall’s, ability to support deep-space missions from British territory.
NASA’s expedition marked the first journey to the moon in over 50 years following its launch on April 1. The Orion space capsule carrying them will venture approximately 4,700 miles beyond the far side of Earth’s natural satellite, marking a new record.
The crew consists of Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch from NASA, alongside Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency. While the Artemis II astronauts did not touch down on the Moon, the mission lays the groundwork for a future lunar landing within the coming years and has dazzled a new generation.
The US Navy is gearing up for its landing off the San Diego coast on Friday 10 April (the early hours of April 11 in the UK) LiverpoolEcho reports.
Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall(Image: Goonhilly Earth Station)
A NASA statement revealed: “Following splashdown, recovery teams will retrieve the crew members using helicopters and deliver them to the USS John P. Murtha. Once aboard, the astronauts will undergo post-flight medical evaluations in the ship’s medical bay before traveling back to shore to meet with an aircraft bound for NASA Johnson (Space Center).”
What time is the Artemis II landing?
Coverage of the Artemis 2 splashdown will be broadcast live on NASA+, with transmission commencing at 11.30pm UK time. The Artemis mission’s Orion capsule is scheduled to commence its atmospheric re-entry shortly after 0.50am.
At this point, the crew will initiate their re-entry protocols as the vessel speeds towards Earth’s surface. Orion is anticipated to experience temperatures exceeding 1600C during its atmospheric descent, with touchdown predicted for 1.07am UK time.
How to watch Artemis II splashdown live
The Artemis 2 splashdown will be available to view via NASA+’s live stream, with broadcast starting at 11.30pm UK time ahead of the anticipated splashdown shortly after 1am BST.
Matthew Cosby, CTO of Goonhilly Earth Station, expressed his pride: “Artemis II marks a significant milestone in humanity’s return to the moon, and we’re proud that the capabilities developed here in Cornwall are contributing to that mission.
“From our site, we will support tracking of the Orion spacecraft, showcasing our readiness for future crewed Artemis missions. At the same time, we are positioning the UK to play a key role in NASA’s longer‐term Moon‐to‐Mars exploration strategy.”
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