# Artemis II Heat Shield After Splashdown

Artemis II Heat Shield After Splashdown

via [NASA (all news)](https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/artemis-ii-heat-shield-after-splashdown/)

NASA's Artemis II mission splashed down on April 10, 2026, and the US Navy captured underwater imagery of the Orion spacecraft's heat shield shortly after. This is exciting news for sky-watchers interested in space travel and exploration, as a successful heat shield is crucial for protecting both the crew and spacecraft systems during reentry. The confirmation that the heat shield performed as expected is a positive step forward for future Artemis missions. Sky-watchers can look forward to learning more about the examination of Orion's heat shield through NASA's updates and images.

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Canonical: https://darkskiesdirectory.com/nightly-news/2026-10-16/artemis-ii-heat-shield-after-splashdown
Updated: 2026-10-16T23:01:17.004Z