Artemis II nears end of historic mission with splashdown off California coast

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. The Artemis II mission to the moon is nearing completion, but first comes a safe splashdown off the San Diego coast. SAN DIEGO, California – The Artemis II mission to the moon is nearing completion, but first comes a safe splashdown off the San Diego coast. The Orion spacecraft, carrying four astronauts, is expected to return Friday, with the U.S. Navy helping recover the capsule and crew from the Pacific Ocean. San Diego, a city with deep Navy roots, is playing a central role in that effort. Several bases in the area are helping lead the recovery, bringing a sense of pride and excitement to the community. Locals and visitors from across the country are expected to gather along the coastline and at museums throughout the area to witness the crew’s homecoming. ARTEMIS II ASTRONAUTS SHOW OFF APOLLO 18 FLAG FROM SPACE A sailboat passes in front of the S