Artemis II nears end of historic mission with splashdown off California coast

The Artemis II mission to the moon is nearing completion, but first comes a safe splashdown off the San Diego coast.

The Orion spacecraft, carrying four astronauts, is expected to return Friday, with the U.S. Navy helping recover the capsule and crew from the Pacific Ocean.

San Diego, a city with deep Navy roots, is playing a central role in that effort. Several bases in the area are helping lead the recovery, bringing a sense of pride and excitement to the community.

Locals and visitors from across the country are expected to gather along the coastline and at museums throughout the area to witness the crew’s homecoming.

ARTEMIS II ASTRONAUTS SHOW OFF APOLLO 18 FLAG FROM SPACE

"We’re back in the game of deep space," said Jim Kidrick, president and CEO of the San Diego Air and Space Museum. "You go back to General Patton, World War II, you know, Americans love a winner… and will not tolerate a loser."

The mission marks the latest chapter in space exploration, wrapping up, at least for now, off the Southern California coast.

The astronauts aboard Orion are on their way home after traveling around the moon, reaching more than 252,000 miles from Earth.

"I think people have been rejuvenated by one word that’s going on in space today, and that’s the moon," Kidrick added.

ARTEMIS II PILOT VICTOR GLOVER’S DAUGHTER STEALS SPOTLIGHT WITH TRIBUTE 

At the museum, the story of the Apollo program is once again front and center, as attention shifts back to deep space more than 50 years later.

"There are so many…historic moments that have happened. So it’s kind of cool to just be a part of one of them," said Abigail Lawrence, who is visiting from Utah.

Others visiting San Diego for the splashdown shared similar excitement.

"You know what? What could be better than coming back to San Diego? I don’t know, I can’t think of anything. Anything," said Sheila Haas.

San Diego-based sailors are also on the front lines, working with NASA to recover the Orion capsule from the Pacific and bring it aboard the USS John P. Murtha, a Navy landing platform dock (LPD).

"I’m just happy to see that the Navy is able to use an LPD for such a peaceful mission," said Navy veteran David Haas. "The LPD are good all around ships for all sorts of things. And so it just makes me happy."

After re-entry, Navy recovery teams will secure the spacecraft and help the crew out safely.

"Our Navy certainly, with the NASA rescue team, all making sure that those astronauts finish up that mission wonderfully well and very safely," Kidrick said.

Back at the Air and Space Museum, thousands of eyes are expected to be on the sky Friday evening, with a sense of hope that a new generation will continue the push into deep space.

"We can help inspire, educate, get them excited… those young boys and girls who are really going to be those next generations," Kidrick said. "There can’t just be one greatest generation…The generations that follow you are gonna have a wonderful future because somebody will land on Mars." 

For Artemis II to land off the San Diego coast, there cannot be any rain or thunderstorms within 35 miles of the splashdown zone.

Forecasters are currently monitoring a storm in the Pacific, but so far, conditions for Friday appear to be on track.