SAN DIEGO, Calif. (FOX 5\/KUSI) \u2014 San Diego is gearing up for Friday\u2019s Artemis II splashdown off the coast after the crew\u2019s historic trip around the moon.<\/p>\n
Since launch day back on April 1, anticipation for the crew\u2019s return has been growing a number of local venues hosting space-themed events and viewings<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Artemis II astronauts are falling back toward Earth as they prepare to end a journey from the far side of the moon to America\u2019s finest city.\u00a0Splashdown is scheduled at 5:07 p.m. Pacific time.<\/p>\n Hotel del Coronado to host Artemis II splashdown watch party <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s actually going to be a fun ride for them,\u201d said Jeff Radigan, Artemis II lead flight director, during a NASA press conference Thursday.<\/p>\n As NASA teams on the ground finish final preparations for Orion\u2019s re-entry and splashdown, the San Diego Air & Space Museum<\/a> is anticipating a big turnout for their PJ Night Watch Party.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re seeing well over a thousand people already,\u201d said Jim Kidrick, the museum\u2019s president and CEO.<\/p>\n Folks can arrive as early as 10 a.m. Friday with half-price tickets available at 4 p.m. \u201cIt\u2019s just going to be fun. There\u2019s a whole bunch of activities for kids, for families,\u201d said Kidrick.<\/p>\n Where to watch Artemis II crew\u2019s return to Earth with kids in San Diego <\/a><\/p>\n All eyes will be on a massive LED screen in the museum\u2019s Pavilion of Flight as Orion\u2019s return to Earth is broadcast live \u2013 a symbol of perseverance.<\/p>\n \u201cAmerica is back, so what\u2019s up there represents us. So, we\u2019re sharing in their anxieties, happiness, the successful mission that it appears to be,\u201d said Kidrick.<\/p>\n Nearby, the Fleet Science Center<\/a> is also holding a viewing from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just really excited to talk about San Diego\u2019s involvement and how we splashdown over here, and we partner with the Navy,\u201d said Cat Toon, a NASA mission expert.<\/p>\n When to watch Artemis II crew\u2019s return to Earth, splashdown off San Diego <\/a><\/p>\n Tickets to the dome theater are sold out, but there will be big screens throughout the science center.\u00a0Also, a temporary pop-up with personal items from the Artemis astronauts, moon rocks, and models and interactive simulators.<\/p>\n The mission is bringing a lot of attention to the place we call home.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing on the national stage and the spotlight and creating history, I think, is amazing for San Diego,\u201d said Daniel Kuperschmid, President\/CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority.<\/p>\n He added that the splashdown is attracting visitors and softening the impact of reduced travel from high gas prices.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first quarter has been a decent first quarter for us we\u2019ve seen a nice rebound I think because I think because the weather is great here. This is icing on the cake as we see it.\u201d<\/p>\n