What to know about Artemis II crew\u2019s return to Earth, splashdown off San Diego <\/a><\/p>\n The Navy\u2019s amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), based out of Naval Base San Diego, will be the recovery ship for the Orion capsule and its crew when they return to Earth from the 10-day historic Artemis II Moon Mission.<\/p>\n U.S. Navy Sailors assist astronauts out of a crew module test article on Feb. 27, 2024. The U.S. Navy has many unique capabilities that make it an ideal partner to support NASA, including its amphibious ships with the ability to embark helicopters, launch and recover small boats, three-dimensional air search radar and advanced medical facilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Olivia Rucker)<\/p>\n Named in honor of the late and long-serving Pennsylvania Congressman John P. Murtha, the Navy says the amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha has a well deck, helicopter pad, onboard medical facilities and communication capabilities needed to support the mission.<\/p>\n As the Artemis Landing and Recovery team\u00a0and supporting Department of War personnel approach the culmination of years of training with this splashdown, this mission will help ensure future missions the Moon and Mars are successful.<\/p>\n How San Diego\u2019s Navy divers are preparing for Artemis II crew\u2019s return <\/a><\/p>\n The Navy says the USS John P. Murtha will standby while MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 \u201cWildcards\u201d \u2014 based at\u00a0Naval Air Station North Island\u00a0in San Diego \u2014 will assist from the air as they track the Orion space capsule through the Earth\u2019s atmosphere.<\/p>\n The helicopter squadron will be the ones to actually recover the astronauts from the capsule before bringing them to the USS John P. Murtha for medial assessment. NASA expects the crew to be on the Navy recovery ship within two hours from splashdown.<\/p>\n U.S. Navy Divers fasten a NASA \u201cfront porch\u201d life raft to a crew module test article on Feb. 25, 2024. Amphibious transport docks, like USS San Diego, have unique capabilities that make it an ideal partner to support NASA, including embarking helicopters, launching and recovering small boats, three dimensional air search radar and advanced medical facilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Connor Burns)<\/p>\n NASA monitors weather for Artemis II\u2019s Pacific splashdown off San Diego <\/a><\/p>\n After the four astronauts are cleared by medial teams, which include a dive medical team from San Diego\u2019s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1, the crew will be taken to San Diego onboard the Navy ship before they are flown to NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston.<\/p>\n Residents in coastal San Diego communities like Point Loma, La Jolla and Coronado could get a glimpse of the USS John P. Murtha carrying the astronauts and Orion spacecraft back to shore Friday night.<\/p>\n U.S. Navy Sailors guide U.S. Navy Capt. Reid Wiseman to the ship\u2019s medical facilities from the flight deck during training for NASA\u2019s Underway Recovery Test 11, Feb. 25, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Caitlyn Strader)<\/p>\n Navy divers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1\u00a0(EODGRU-1) \u2014 experts in mobile diving, salvage, towing, and open water, small boat operations \u2014 will be recovering and transporting the Orion capsule from the Pacific Ocean off San Diego onto the USS John P. Murtha\u2019s well deck.<\/p>\n 260126-N-DB724-1027 Sailors assigned to amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) and NASA engineers prepare to release a crew module test article from the ship\u2019s well deck, Jan. 26, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jomark A. Almazan)<\/p>\n A rigid hull inflatable boat tows a crew module test article (CMTA) from the well deck of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) during Underway Recovery Test 11, Feb. 25, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Connor Burns)<\/p>\n NASA says splashdown is expected about 50 to 80 miles off the San Diego coast and experts are keeping a close eye on the weather as rain and thunderstorms are forecast to move into the region Friday night into Saturday.<\/p>\n![\"U.S.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2bc44ddd1563b9425e48c2086be0765d.jpeg\"\/)
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