Splashdown occurred precisely at 5:07 p.m. PDT on Thursday, April 10, 2026, marking the end of a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth .
The four astronauts aboard the Orion capsule “Integrity”—NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen—were safely returned to our planet .
The amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) served as the primary recovery ship, executing a complex maritime operation that spanned from atmospheric reentry to securing the capsule in the ship’s well deck .
A team of highly trained Navy divers, assigned to units under Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 1, were the first to make contact with the Orion capsule bobbing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego .
Their meticulous approach to this historic task showcased the unique capabilities of U.S. Naval forces.
The mission began with a sonic boom as Orion reentered the atmosphere, traveling at close to 25,000 miles per hour and enduring searing temperatures nearing 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit .
As the spacecraft descended under parachutes and splashed down, the USS John P. Murtha stood by roughly a mile and a half away, ready for action .
Navy divers were already out at sea, tracking the capsule as it descended onto a stable platform.
Immediately following splashdown, five airbags on top of the Orion capsule inflated to reorient the capsule upward and keep it stable through any potential ocean swells .
The Navy divers then approached Orion aboard inflatable boats. Their primary objectives were twofold: first, to ensure the safety of the crew, and second, to prepare the spacecraft for recovery.
A critical part of the operation was the deployment of specialized equipment. Navy divers attached an inflatable collar around the capsule to add stability in the open water .
They also deployed an inflatable platform known as the “front porch,” which provided a stable surface for the astronauts to exit the capsule onto .
Before the astronauts could exit, dive medical personnel performed initial safety checks, including testing for any hazardous gases around the capsule’s exterior .
Once the area was declared safe, the medical team opened the hatch. These Navy corpsmen and doctors were the first to greet the astronauts, welcoming them back to Earth after their historic journey and conducting initial medical assessments .
Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Reid Wiseman, mission commander; retired U.S. Navy Capt. Victor Glover, pilot; NASA astronaut Christina Koch; and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen exited the capsule one by one .
They were guided onto the front porch raft, a moment Navy Diver 1st Class Chase Marini described as unforgettable.
“Both the training for and execution of this historic event has been an incredible experience,” Marini said.
“I’ll never forget the time we shared with the Integrity crew as we sat on the front porch prior to their lift back to the ship on helicopters.
We were excited to welcome them back to Earth and be a part of their journey home” .
After the astronauts were safely on the front porch, the focus shifted to transporting them to the USS John P.
Murtha. Two MH-60S Seahawk helicopters from the “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 were assigned to retrieve the astronauts, hoisting them individually from the raft by rescue swimmer and flying them back to the ship .
This process, completed within two hours of splashdown, was chosen as the safest and most efficient method for the astronauts, who needed to readjust to Earth’s gravity after 10 days in space .
With the crew safely aboard the ship for medical evaluations, the Navy divers shifted their focus to recovering the Orion spacecraft itself.
As sea and daylight conditions changed, the team worked into the evening to prepare the capsule for its journey home .
Using a series of lines, the divers slowly towed the massive capsule to the USS John P.
Murtha, which has a specialized well deck at the waterline to store the spacecraft .
The divers applied their expertise in rigging and salvage until Orion was ultimately and carefully returned to the ship in the early morning hours .
“Despite initially calm seas and clear skies, we encountered some unexpected currents, and we had to change our plan accordingly,” said Chief Navy Diver August Dhayer, who managed the 10-person team of divers and medical personnel who made first contact with the crew.
“The ocean always holds a vote, so we reacted quickly. Precise coordination and communication became critical as we towed the space craft back to the Murtha” .
Following the astronauts’ medical checks, they were flown from the USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, where they boarded a NASA aircraft to return to their home base in Houston, Texas .
The Orion spacecraft was also transported to a pier at Naval Base San Diego, where teams began post-flight processing before its eventual return to Houston .
The flawless execution of this mission was the culmination of years of intense preparation and joint training.
Navy divers, NASA personnel, and Air Force teams participated in numerous drills, including underwater recovery tests at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab at the Johnson Space Center in Houston .
This partnership between the Department of War and NASA in human spaceflight recovery operations dates back to 1959, a legacy of success that continues with the Artemis program .
“I could not be more proud of the skill and professionalism the crew demonstrated,” said Capt.
Erik Kenny, commanding officer of John P. Murtha. “Our team executed this complex recovery with pride, showcasing the unique capabilities of our naval forces.
Being able to play a vital role in this operation is a testament to the strength of our team” .
This mission was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when the world’s finest teams unite with a common purpose.
What a powerful team effort indeed!
