San Diego warship to recover Artemis II astronauts when they splash down in ocean Friday

Gary Robbins, The San Diego Union-Tribune on Apr 7, 2026

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SAN DIEGO — The Navy said Monday it has chosen the San Diego-based amphibious warship USS John P. Murtha to recover the four Artemis II astronauts when their Orion space capsule splashes into the ocean west of San Diego at 5:07 p.m. PDT Friday.

The 684-foot Murtha, typically used to transport Marines, completed special training to qualify for such duty. On Monday, the ship departed Naval Base San Diego to travel to the spot 50 to 60 miles offshore where Orion will touch down with the use of 11 parachutes.

NASA and the Coast Guard say that the public should not approach the landing area, partly because pieces of debris are expected to break off and fall into the sea during descent. Skies are expected to be overcast at the time of the landing.

Five bright airbags will deploy shortly after splashdown to keep the capsule upright and make it easier for the Murtha’s crew to collect the astronauts and place them on the ship. They will then be transported by helicopter to Naval Air Station North Island, put on a jet, then flown to Houston, where they will hold a post-trip news conference.

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