NASA's Artemis II mission is set for a dramatic conclusion as the Orion spacecraft prepares to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. The crewed capsule, carrying four astronauts on a landmark lunar flyby mission, is returning after travelling farther from Earth than any humans have ventured in more than 50 years.
The spacecraft's return marks a critical test of NASA's deep-space systems, with officials describing the final phase as one of the most technically demanding parts of the mission. Live coverage is expected across multiple platforms as Orion begins its high-speed descent through Earth's atmosphere.
