Helis, April 11, 2026 - PACIFIC OCEAN – After a ten-day lunar mission that drew global attention, the U.S. Navy successfully recovered the Artemis II crew and their Orion spacecraft following splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026.
The amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), known to its crew simply as the “Murtha,” served as the primary recovery platform. Using its specialized well deck, the ship safely recovered the Orion capsule and supported the return of the mission’s four astronauts: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
The recovery operation brought together several key Navy units:
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One (EODGRU-1) : Navy divers from EODGRU-1 were the first to reach the capsule, inspecting it for hazards and securing it with a sea anchor to support the crew’s safe exit.
- Dive Medical Recovery Team : A specialized medical team from EODGRU-1, including Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Wang and Senior Chief Laddy Aldridge, conducted the astronauts’ first medical evaluations at the splashdown site.
- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 (HSC-23) : The “Wildcards” of HSC-23 tracked Orion during reentry and, after splashdown, used MH-60S Seahawk helicopters to transport the crew from the ocean to the flight deck of the John P. Murtha.
The operation highlighted the Navy’s evolving recovery capabilities. The John P. Murtha and its combined crew of about 550 sailors and NASA personnel used a modified well deck method to bring the 10.5-ton capsule aboard safely. The recovery took place roughly 50 to 60 miles off the coast of San Diego.
“The seamless execution of this recovery is a testament to the rigorous training of the Navy-NASA team,” said Capt. Erik Kenny, commanding officer of the USS John P. Murtha. “We are honored to play a critical role in returning these pioneers safely home.”
With Artemis II now successfully concluded, NASA’s attention turns to Artemis III. The experience gained by the John P. Murtha and its support teams is expected to help shape future lunar recovery operations.
The amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), known to its crew simply as the “Murtha,” served as the primary recovery platform. Using its specialized well deck, the ship safely recovered the Orion capsule and supported the return of the mission’s four astronauts: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
The recovery operation brought together several key Navy units:
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One (EODGRU-1) : Navy divers from EODGRU-1 were the first to reach the capsule, inspecting it for hazards and securing it with a sea anchor to support the crew’s safe exit.
- Dive Medical Recovery Team : A specialized medical team from EODGRU-1, including Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Wang and Senior Chief Laddy Aldridge, conducted the astronauts’ first medical evaluations at the splashdown site.
- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 (HSC-23) : The “Wildcards” of HSC-23 tracked Orion during reentry and, after splashdown, used MH-60S Seahawk helicopters to transport the crew from the ocean to the flight deck of the John P. Murtha.
The operation highlighted the Navy’s evolving recovery capabilities. The John P. Murtha and its combined crew of about 550 sailors and NASA personnel used a modified well deck method to bring the 10.5-ton capsule aboard safely. The recovery took place roughly 50 to 60 miles off the coast of San Diego.
“The seamless execution of this recovery is a testament to the rigorous training of the Navy-NASA team,” said Capt. Erik Kenny, commanding officer of the USS John P. Murtha. “We are honored to play a critical role in returning these pioneers safely home.”
With Artemis II now successfully concluded, NASA’s attention turns to Artemis III. The experience gained by the John P. Murtha and its support teams is expected to help shape future lunar recovery operations.
USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26)
HSC-23 ready to launch
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| Best practice is to move forward as soon as you have someone on the wire in order to avoid a rapid spin developing on the persons on the hook due to the downwash of the helicopter. So long story short, what you see on the video is normal. |
| Yes but not that speed. |
| The camera helicopter is orbiting to the right at a speed that is at least above translational lift, let's call it 40 kts? The camera is on an extremely long stabilized zoom, as we saw throughout the operation. The net effect is a background that whizzes past, not a helicopter in a hurry. |
| based off of the way they swing, more than just the orbiting helicopter had forward airspeed. |
| 😴 |
See also |
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration HSC-23
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Three US Navy USS John P Murtha ( LPD-26, San Antonio class ) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk
