Ethan Carter
Orion is a spacecraft because it is designed to withstand extreme conditions during reentry, which matters for NASA’s Artemis II mission aimed at lunar exploration.
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This article covers key aspects of the Artemis II mission, including the reentry process, the role of the heat shield, and the crew’s experiences during splashdown.
- Overview of the Artemis II mission
- Details on the reentry procedure
- Analysis of the heat shield performance
- Insights from the crew members
The Orion spacecraft will slam into Earth’s atmosphere at more than 30 times the speed of sound. This phase is expected to be the most demanding part of the Artemis II mission.
On landing day, Rick Henfling, the entry flight director, and his team will oversee the final leg of the 10-day spaceflight. After wake-up, controllers will brief the four astronauts — Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — on weather conditions at the splashdown zone.
- Landing speed: 30 times the speed of sound
- Mission duration: 10 days
- Astronauts involved: 4
A small final steering burn will aim the Orion spacecraft at a targeted patch of the Pacific Ocean, west of San Diego, California. A Navy ship will be waiting to assist with recovery.
Engineers will also arm backup flight software to ensure the capsule can navigate through the atmosphere even if its main systems fail. This home stretch carries extra tension following Artemis I, when pieces of Orion’s heat shield broke off during the uncrewed test flight’s descent.
| Mission | Key Issues | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Artemis I | Heat shield damage | Changed capsule’s atmospheric path |
| Artemis II | Reentry strategy | Adopted a gentler “lofted” approach |
Engineers attributed the heat shield issue to hot gas buildup during the mission’s so-called “skip” entry. Instead of redesigning the shield, NASA opted to adjust the capsule’s trajectory to avoid the hottest temperatures.
Long before launch, the heat shield was a top concern for Jim Free, who led NASA’s Artemis programs in 2023. Wiseman expressed his concerns at a news conference, emphasizing the importance of the heat shield.
Instead of repeating the deep bounce from the inaugural flight, Artemis II will utilize a gentler approach. Orion will still dip in and out of the atmosphere but with a less dramatic trajectory.
- Launch year: 2023
- Reentry speed: 25,000 mph
- Heat experienced: 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit
NASA brought in an independent review team before approving the revised reentry plan. Glover has been contemplating the reentry process since his assignment to the Artemis II crew on April 3, 2023.
During a press conference, Glover expressed his excitement about splashdown, describing the experience of riding through the atmosphere as profound.
Artemis II pilot Victor Glover during a call with reporters on April 8, 2026.Credit: NASA / Youtube screenshot
NASA officials indicated in 2024 that the damage to Artemis I’s heat shield would not have endangered a crew. Astronauts would not have sensed any disturbance inside the vehicle, and guidance systems would have ensured a safe recovery.
As Orion approaches Earth, communications will shift from the moon-tracking antennas of the Deep Space Network to near-Earth relay satellites. About 20 minutes before entry, the service module will separate and burn up over the ocean.
- Separation altitude: 75 miles
- Separation time: 20 minutes before entry
- Speed at entry: 25,000 mph
Entry begins at approximately 75 miles up, with Orion moving at 25,000 mph. Air piling up in front of the capsule will heat to about 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, creating plasma that may temporarily cut off radio contact.
The crew will experience around 3.9Gs during reentry, feeling a pressure of four times their own weight. Wiseman acknowledged that they are aware of the potential for record-breaking speeds during reentry.
Once Orion slows down, a precise parachute sequence will commence. A cover over the nose will blow off, followed by the deployment of two small drogues to stabilize the capsule.
| Phase | Speed | Temperature | G-Force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 25,000 mph | 5,000°F | 3.9Gs |
| Splashdown | Slowed by parachutes | Cooling phase | Normal |
After splashdown, NASA will keep Orion powered for roughly two hours to monitor temperature changes inside the capsule as it cools in the Pacific Ocean. This phase is crucial even after the astronauts have boarded the recovery ship.
Dan Flores, a member of the recovery team, expresses his enthusiasm for this part of the mission. “We have our friends flying around the moon,” he stated. “This is when we get to bring our friends back home to their families.”
Brandon Fletcher
