NASA's Artemis II Completes First Return Correction Burn, Prepares for Earth Return
On April 7, 2026, NASA's Artemis II mission marked a significant milestone as the Orion spacecraft, named Integrity, completed its first return correction burn. This maneuver, executed at 8:03 p.m. EDT, involved a 15-second thruster ignition that adjusted the spacecraft's velocity by 1.6 feet-per-second, setting the crew on course for their return to Earth. The mission, which includes NASA astronaut Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, has been closely monitored with procedures and navigation data reviewed by the crew. The USS John P. Murtha is en route to the recovery site in the Pacific Ocean, with updates on recovery operations and weather conditions to be provided in daily briefings. The crew is scheduled to test an orthostatic intolerance garment to aid in blood pressure and circulation management during their transition back to Earth's gravity. Additionally, they will conduct a manual piloting demonstration of the Orion spacecraft.