The Artemis II crew is scheduled to disembark off the coast of San Diego on Friday evening

SAN DIEGO, California – Artemis II’s journey to the moon is nearing its end, but first comes a safe splash on the shores of San Diego.

The Orion spacecraft, carrying four astronauts, is expected to return on Friday, with The US Navy is helping to recover the capsule and workers from the Pacific Ocean.

San Diego, a city with deep Navy roots, is playing a key role in that effort. Several foundations in the area help lead the recovery, bringing a sense of pride and excitement to the community.

Locals and visitors from all over the country are expected to gather at beaches and museums throughout the area to see the crew home.

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“We’re back in the deep space game,” said Jim Kidrick, president and CEO of the San Diego Air and Space Museum. “You go back to General Patton, World War II, you know, the American people love a winner … and they won’t tolerate a loser.”

The mission marks the latest chapter in space exploration, which is wrapping up, at least for now, off the coast of Southern California.

Astronauts aboard Orion are on their way home after orbiting the moon, reaching more than 252,000 miles from Earth.

“I think people are refreshed by one word that’s happening in space today, and that’s the moon,” Kidrick added.

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

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At the museum, the story of the Apollo program is once again front and center, as attention returns to a deeper place more than 50 years later.

“There are so many…historical moments that have happened. So it’s great to be a part of one of them,” said Abigail Lawrence, visiting from Utah.

Others who visited San Diego for the splashdown shared the same excitement.

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

“You know what? What could be better than going back to San Diego? I don’t know, I can’t think of anything. Anything,” said Sheila Haas.

San Diego-based sailors are also ahead, working with them NASA’s Orion capsule recovery from the Pacific and deliver it to the USS John P. Murtha, a Navy landing platform dock (LPD).

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“I’m glad to see that the Navy is able to use LPD to do peaceful work,” said Navy veteran David Haas. “LPD is good all around ships for all kinds of things. And it just makes me happy.”

After re-entry, Navy recovery teams will secure the spacecraft and help the crew safely evacuate.

“Our Navy, of course, and NASA’s rescue team, they all made sure that the astronauts completed this mission in a spectacular and safe manner,” Kidrick said.

Back to Air and space Museum, thousands of eyes are expected to be in the sky on Friday evening, with a view of hope that the new generation will continue to push into the deep space.

The San Diego Air and Space Museum under bright sunlight before the Artemis II splashdown. (IFX)

“We can help inspire, educate, make them happy… those boys and girls are going to be the next generation,” Kidrick said. “There won’t be one generation that is the greatest…Generations that follow will have a great future because someone will get to Mars.”

For Artemis II to land off the coast of San Diego, there would be no rain or thunderstorms within 35 miles of the splash site.

Forecasters are currently monitoring the storm in the Pacific, but so far, conditions for Friday appear to be going well.