SAN DIEGO, California – As the Artemis II lunar mission nears its conclusion, the final challenge lies in executing a secure splashdown near San Diego’s shores.

Scheduled for a Friday return, the Orion spacecraft will bring back its four-astronaut crew with the U.S. Navy poised to assist in the retrieval of the capsule from the Pacific waters.

San Diego, renowned for its strong naval heritage, is at the forefront of this mission’s recovery efforts. Multiple local bases are spearheading the operation, infusing the area with a palpable sense of pride and anticipation.

Both residents and visitors from across the nation are expected to line the coast and visit local museums as they eagerly await the crew’s arrival back on Earth.

A sailboat glides past the San Diego skyline, underscoring the city’s readiness for the anticipated Artemis II splashdown. (FOX)

“We’re back in the realm of deep-space exploration,” remarked Jim Kidrick, president and CEO of the San Diego Air and Space Museum. “Reflecting on General Patton and World War II, it’s clear that Americans cherish victors and have little patience for failure.”

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.

In this image provided by NASA, Artemis II crew members, from left, Victor Glover Jeremy Hansen, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch, pause to turn the camera around for a selfie midway through their lunar observation period of the Moon during a lunar flyby, Monday, April 6, 2026. (NASA via AP)

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.

A spacesuit associated with Neil Armstrong is displayed at the San Diego Air and Space Museum, highlighting the legacy of the Apollo era. (FOX)

“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.

The San Diego Air and Space Museum under bright sunlight ahead of the Artemis II splashdown. (FOX )

“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.