The Artemis II mission is set to reach a critical phase as the Orion capsule begins its reentry into Earth’s atmosphere at an altitude of 121,920 meters, prepared to withstand temperatures up to 2,760 degrees Celsius and speeds exceeding 40,000 kilometers per hour, according to an April 10 statement.
This stage is significant as it marks the culmination of a journey spanning over one million kilometers through space. The return process involves complex technical challenges and psychological pressure for the four astronauts aboard. Victor Glover, one of the crew members, said that returning to Earth “has been on his mind since the day he was selected” for the expedition.
As they approach splashdown off the coast of California, the astronauts face what is considered one of the most dangerous segments: intense heat during atmospheric entry and a planned six-minute blackout period with no communication as Orion passes through denser layers of air. NASA refers to this window as a “planned blackout period,” beginning when Orion enters these layers at an altitude of 121,920 meters (400,000 feet).
Glover described reentry as “riding a ball of fire through the atmosphere,” reflecting both anticipation and difficulty during this final descent from more than 120,000 meters above Earth. The crew relies on intensive training and close coordination with rescue teams in preparation for extraction and medical evaluation after landing.
Orion will descend rapidly enough that it could cross from New York to Tokyo in under twenty minutes before aiming for splashdown near San Diego. The scheduled time for this event is Friday at 8:07 p.m. Eastern Time (with corresponding times across various countries), marking the end of Artemis II’s journey.
