CBC News provided live coverage Sunday of the Artemis 2 mission’s return to Earth, detailing the challenges and preparations for the crew’s re-entry and splashdown. The Orion capsule, nicknamed Integrity, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.

Re-entry Challenges

A six-minute communication blackout was expected during re-entry as the spacecraft encountered intense heat, reaching approximately 2,700 degrees Celsius (5,000 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the broadcast. During the blackout, temperatures around the capsule were expected to reach approximately 3,000 degrees Celsius. The capsule was travelling at approximately Mach 33, or 33 times the speed of sound.

During the broadcast, Dr. Roberta Bondar, a former Canadian astronaut, explained that the crew’s primary role during re-entry was observation and data collection, as the vehicle was largely controlled by computers. She noted that the crew would be monitoring panels and making observations, but would have limited ability to interact with the vehicle directly.

Dr. Bondar also discussed the importance of heat shielding, referencing a previous incident with the Space Shuttle Columbia where a foam strike nearly caused a catastrophic failure. She emphasized that each flight provides valuable learning opportunities for improving future missions.

According to reports during the broadcast, recovery crews in the Pacific Ocean had a visual on the Orion capsule even during the communication blackout. Communication with the capsule was successfully re-established after approximately six minutes, with mission control confirming a nominal trajectory. The crew reported a successful splashdown.