USS John P. Murtha to Recover Artemis II Astronauts After Historic Splashdown

The USS John P. Murtha, an amphibious transport dock ship based in San Diego, is set to play a pivotal role in the recovery of NASA's Artemis II astronauts following their spacecraft's splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. The recovery operation is scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2026, at approximately 5 p.m. local time. This mission marks a significant milestone in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon.

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Sailors aboard the USS John P. Murtha have undergone extensive training to prepare for this high-stakes recovery operation. The ship possesses unique capabilities that will assist in retrieving the Orion space capsule and the four astronauts. A helicopter squadron from Naval Air Station North Island will track the capsule's descent through the atmosphere, while Navy divers will recover the spacecraft from the ocean and transport it onto the ship's deck.

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Capt. Erik Kenny, the commanding officer of the USS John P. Murtha, emphasized the importance of the mission, stating, “We are honored to carry on [John P. Murtha's] legacy by supporting NASA and the Artemis II mission.” The mission is not only a tribute to the ship's namesake, former Pennsylvania Congressman John P. Murtha, but also a critical step in ensuring the safety of future lunar missions.

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The Artemis II mission is notable for being the first crewed flight of the Orion spacecraft, which has already set a record for the farthest distance from Earth ever reached by humans, surpassing the Apollo 13 record of 248,655 miles. The successful recovery of the astronauts and the Orion capsule will provide invaluable data that will inform future Artemis missions, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of NASA's lunar exploration efforts.

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The Navy has highlighted the "unique advantages" of the USS John P. Murtha in facilitating the recovery operation. The ship's capabilities are expected to contribute significantly to the mission's success, ensuring that the astronauts are safely retrieved and the spacecraft is properly assessed for future missions.

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Following the recovery operation, the USS John P. Murtha will transport the Artemis II astronauts to a nearby naval base for medical evaluation and debriefing before they reunite with their families. This mission not only underscores the collaboration between NASA and the U.S. Navy but also represents a crucial step in humanity's return to lunar exploration.

San Diego Warship to Recover Artemis II Astronauts After SplashdownSan Diego Navy warship to recover Artemis II astronautsSan Diego Warship to Recover Artemis II AstronautsNew York PostNBC 7 San Diego

• “We are honored to carry on his legacy by supporting NASA and the Artemis II mission.” — Capt. Erik Kenny, Commanding Officer, USS John P. Murtha

San Diego Warship to Recover Artemis II Astronauts After Splashdown

This operation exemplifies the ongoing commitment to advancing space exploration and the collaborative efforts required to achieve such ambitious goals.

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