Splashdown remains tentatively scheduled for 8:07 p.m. ET on Friday, likely within 100 miles of the San Diego coast, according to NASA. However, the exact timing could still change depending on various conditions.
Weather-wise, it’s still looking like a go with no big changes to the forecast at this time. The criteria required for splashdown are expected to be met off the coast of San Diego. Rain should remain well to the north of the region, and clouds shouldn’t exceed the safety threshold.
View of the USS John P. Murtha flight deck is seen from the air boss tower ahead of the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, April 9, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
Bill Ingalls/NASA
While conditions continue to look favorable, weather and ocean conditions will remain closely monitored right up to retry to determine if any small trajectory shifts are required to ensure the Orion spacecraft arrives home in the most favorable conditions possible.
Weather criteria needed for a nominal splashdown and recovery, according to NASA, are:
-Significant wave height must be less than six feet
-No precipitation or lightning within 35 miles
-Winds under 28 mph
-Good visibility and minimal cloud cover below a certain height
Artemis II splashdown corridor off the coast of California.
NASA
-ABC News’ Daniel Peck
