Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team and partners from the Department of Defense stand on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha during Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego. URT-10 is the tenth in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, along with partners from the Department of Defense, practice Artemis recovery procedures as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego on Aug. 1, 2023. The event involved the use of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full-scale mockup of NASA’s Orion spacecraft. URT-10 is the 10th in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but marked the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, along with partners from the Department of Defense, practice Artemis recovery procedures as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego on July 31, 2023. The event involved the use of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full-scale mockup of NASA’s Orion spacecraft. URT-10 is the 10th in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but marked the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, along with partners from the Department of Defense, practice Artemis recovery procedures as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego on July 31, 2023. The event involved the use of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full-scale mockup of NASA’s Orion spacecraft. URT-10 is the 10th in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but marked the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, along with partners from the Department of Defense, practice Artemis recovery procedures as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego on July 31, 2023. The event involved the use of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full-scale mockup of NASA’s Orion spacecraft. URT-10 is the 10th in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but marked the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, along with partners from the Department of Defense, practice Artemis recovery procedures as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego on Aug. 1, 2023. The event involved the use of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full-scale mockup of NASA’s Orion spacecraft. URT-10 is the 10th in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but marked the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, along with partners from the Department of Defense, practice Artemis recovery procedures as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego on Aug. 1, 2023. The event involved the use of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full-scale mockup of NASA’s Orion spacecraft. URT-10 is the 10th in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but marked the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team and partners from the Department of Defense stand on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha during Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego. URT-10 is the tenth in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team and partners from the Department of Defense stand on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha during Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego. URT-10 is the tenth in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team and partners from the Department of Defense stand on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha during Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego. URT-10 is the tenth in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, along with partners from the Department of Defense, practice Artemis recovery procedures as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego on Aug. 1, 2023. The event involved the use of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full-scale mockup of NASA’s Orion spacecraft. URT-10 is the 10th in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but marked the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team and partners from the Department of Defense stand on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha during Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego. URT-10 is the tenth in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, along with partners from the Department of Defense, practice Artemis recovery procedures as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego on Aug. 1, 2023. The event involved the use of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full-scale mockup of NASA’s Orion spacecraft. URT-10 is the 10th in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but marked the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, along with partners from the Department of Defense, practice Artemis recovery procedures as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego on July 31, 2023. The event involved the use of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full-scale mockup of NASA’s Orion spacecraft. URT-10 is the 10th in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but marked the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion Spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely. In this photo Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 secure the CMTA and prepare it to be recovered back inside USS John P Murtha.

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the waters of the Pacific Ocean during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. URT-10 is the first test specifically in support of the Artemis II mission and allowed the team to practice what it will be like to recover astronauts and get them back to the recovery ship safely. In this photo, Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 secure the CMTA and prepare it to be recovered back inside USS John P. Murtha.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 work to secure the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in the Pacific Ocean as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The divers are trained in open water and small boat procedures and will be the team to help Artemis astronauts exit the Orion spacecraft and make it safely to the recovery ship after splashdown in addition to preparing the spacecraft to be transported back inside the recovery ship.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 work to secure the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in the Pacific Ocean as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The divers are trained in open water and small boat procedures and will be the team to help Artemis astronauts exit the Orion spacecraft and make it safely to the recovery ship after splashdown in addition to preparing the spacecraft to be transported back inside the recovery ship.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 work to secure the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in the Pacific Ocean as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The divers are trained in open water and small boat procedures and will be the team to help Artemis astronauts exit the Orion spacecraft and make it safely to the recovery ship after splashdown in addition to preparing the spacecraft to be transported back inside the recovery ship.

NASA, Navy, and Air Force personnel practice Artemis recovery procedures in the Pacific Ocean as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego. In this photo, Navy divers are seen entering the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) and assisting a simulated crew member exiting the spacecraft to practice recovering astronauts out of the spacecraft and onto an inflatable “front porch” where the crew will be picked up with helicopters and lifted up via helicopter back to the recovery vessel.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 practice contingency recovery procedures with a manikin and the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in the Pacific Ocean as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The divers are trained in open water and small boat procedures and will be the team to help Artemis astronauts exit the Orion spacecraft and make it safely to the recovery ship after splashdown in addition to preparing the spacecraft to be transported back inside the recovery ship.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 work to secure the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in the Pacific Ocean as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The divers are trained in open water and small boat procedures and will be the team to help Artemis astronauts exit the Orion spacecraft and make it safely to the recovery ship after splashdown in addition to preparing the spacecraft to be transported back inside the recovery ship.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 work to secure the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in the Pacific Ocean as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The divers are trained in open water and small boat procedures and will be the team to help Artemis astronauts exit the Orion spacecraft and make it safely to the recovery ship after splashdown in addition to preparing the spacecraft to be transported back inside the recovery ship.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 prepare to enter the Pacific Ocean from the well deck of USS John P Murtha as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The divers are trained in open water and small boat procedures and will be the team to help Artemis astronauts exit the Orion spacecraft and make it safely to the recovery ship after splashdown.

Naval helicopter pilots from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 “Wildcards” fly over the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) with American flags after completing flight operations during an Artemis II mission simulation during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 work to secure the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in the Pacific Ocean as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The divers are trained in open water and small boat procedures and will be the team to help Artemis astronauts exit the Orion spacecraft and make it safely to the recovery ship after splashdown in addition to preparing the spacecraft to be transported back inside the recovery ship.

NASA, Navy, and Air Force personnel practice Artemis recovery procedures in the Pacific Ocean as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego. In this photo, Navy divers are seen surrounding the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) and preparing to recover it inside the recovery ship while simulated astronauts are picked up on an inflatable “front porch” by Naval helicopter pilots from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 “Wildcards” and flown back to the USS John P. Murtha.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 work to secure the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in the Pacific Ocean as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The divers are trained in open water and small boat procedures and will be the team to help Artemis astronauts exit the Orion spacecraft and make it safely to the recovery ship after splashdown in addition to preparing the spacecraft to be transported back inside the recovery ship.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 work to secure the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in the Pacific Ocean as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The divers are trained in open water and small boat procedures and will be the team to help Artemis astronauts exit the Orion spacecraft and make it safely to the recovery ship after splashdown in addition to preparing the spacecraft to be transported back inside the recovery ship.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 work to secure the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in the Pacific Ocean as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The divers are trained in open water and small boat procedures and will be the team to help Artemis astronauts exit the Orion spacecraft and make it safely to the recovery ship after splashdown in addition to preparing the spacecraft to be transported back inside the recovery ship.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 work to secure the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in the Pacific Ocean as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). The divers are trained in open water and small boat procedures and will be the team to help Artemis astronauts exit the Orion spacecraft and make it safely to the recovery ship after splashdown in addition to preparing the spacecraft to be transported back inside the recovery ship.

NASA, Navy, and Air Force personnel practice Artemis recovery procedures in the Pacific Ocean as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego. In this photo, Naval helicopter pilots from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 “Wildcards” lift a pilot in a basket from an inflatable “front porch” that allows astronauts to be recovered out of the Orion spacecraft. Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 are the first to reach the spacecraft after splashdown and will assist the astronauts in getting inside the helicopter baskets prior to be flown back to the recovery ship.

Four Naval helicopter pilots from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 “Wildcards” pose for a photo in the Pacific Ocean as they prepare to participate in an Artemis II recovery test as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10). During recovery practice, these four pilots acted as Artemis II astronauts and were placed inside the Orion Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) recovered from the capsule onto an inflatable “front porch” and then lifted via helicopter back to the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha.

NASA, Navy, and Air Force personnel practice Artemis recovery procedures in the Pacific Ocean as part of Underway Recovery Test-10 off the coast of San Diego. In this photo Naval helicopter pilots from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 “Wildcards” lift a pilot in a basket from an inflatable “front porch” that allows astronauts to be recovered out of the Orion spacecraft. Navy Divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1 are the first to reach the spacecraft after splashdown and will assist the astronauts in getting inside the helicopter baskets prior to be flown back to the recovery ship.

Naval helicopter pilots from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 “Wildcards” escort a pilot acting as an Artemis II astronaut on the ships flight deck during an Artemis II mission recovery simulation as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 off the coast of San Diego. HSC-23 will be responsible for flying the Artemis II crew from the Orion spacecraft to the recovery vessel once they splash down after a 10-day mission around the Moon.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team load a mannequin into the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test 10 in the Pacific Ocean. The CMTA is a is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. The team uses the mannequin to practice recovering astronauts out of the capsule and safely getting them to the recovery vessel nearby.

Naval helicopter pilots from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 “Wildcards” fly over USS John P Murtha with an American flag after completing flight operations during an Artemis II mission simulation during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 off the coast of San Diego.

Navy Divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit 1, sailors from USS John P Murtha and NASA Open Water Lead, Tim Goddard, work to deflate Artemis recovery equipment after a simulated Artemis recovery operation as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10. The team will use these inflatables as a platform for astronauts as they exit the Orion spacecraft after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean

NASA, Navy, and Air Force personnel practice Artemis recovery procedures in the Pacific Ocean as part of Underway Recovery Test-10 off the coast of San Diego. In this photo Navy divers are seen entering the Orion Crew Module Test Article to prepare to practice recovering astronauts out of the spacecraft and onto an inflatable “front porch” where the crew will be picked up with helicopters and lifted up via helicopter back to the recovery vessel.

Four Naval helicopter pilots from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 “Wildcards” pose for a photo in the Pacific Ocean as they prepare to participate in an Artemis II recovery test as part of NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10. During recovery practice, these four pilots acted as Artemis II astronauts and were placed inside the Orion Crew Module Test Article, recovered from the capsule onto an inflatable “front porch” and then lifted via helicopter back to the flight deck of USS John P Murtha.

Naval helicopter pilots from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 “Wildcards” fly over USS John P Murtha with an American flag after completing flight operations during an Artemis II mission simulation during NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 10 off the coast of San Diego.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team load a mannequin into the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test 10 in the Pacific Ocean. The CMTA is a is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used by NASA and its Department of Defense partners to practice recovery procedures for crewed Artemis missions. The team uses the mannequin to practice recovering astronauts out of the capsule and safely getting them to the recovery vessel nearby.

NASA, Navy, and Air Force personnel practice Artemis recovery procedures in the Pacific Ocean as part of Underway Recovery Test-10 off the coast of San Diego. In this photo Navy divers are seen entering the Orion Crew Module Test Article to prepare to practice recovering astronauts out of the spacecraft and onto an inflatable “front porch” where the crew will be picked up with helicopters and lifted up via helicopter back to the recovery vessel.

While onboard the USS John P. Murtha, NASA and the Department of Defense practice Artemis II recovery operations with the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in July of 2023. The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used to verify the recovery team is ready to support crew recovery after missions to the Moon.

While onboard the USS John P. Murtha, NASA and the Department of Defense practice Artemis II recovery operations with the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in July of 2023. The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used to verify the recovery team is ready to support crew recovery after missions to the Moon.

While onboard the USS John P. Murtha, NASA and the Department of Defense practice Artemis II recovery operations with the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in July of 2023. The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used to verify the recovery team is ready to support crew recovery after missions to the Moon.

While onboard the USS John P. Murtha, NASA and the Department of Defense practice Artemis II recovery operations with the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in July of 2023. The CMTA is a full-scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft and is used to verify the recovery team is ready to support crew recovery after missions to the Moon.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, along with partners from the Department of Defense, practice Artemis recovery procedures as part of Underway Recovery Test 10 (URT-10) off the coast of San Diego on July 31, 2023. The event involved the use of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full-scale mockup of NASA’s Orion spacecraft. URT-10 is the 10th in a series of Artemis recovery tests, but marked the first time NASA and its partners from the Department of Defense put their Artemis II recovery procedures to the test.

Amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) Commanding Officer Capt. Doug Langenberg, left, explains to NASA Astronaut U.S. Navy Capt. Reid Wiseman and Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen, right, the ship’s recovery capabilities, July 19, 2023. In preparation for NASA's Artemis II crewed mission, which will send four astronauts in Orion beyond the Moon, NASA and the U.S. Navy will conduct a series of tests to demonstrate and evaluate the processes, procedures, and hardware used in recovery operations for crewed lunar missions. The U.S. Navy has many unique capabilities that make it an ideal partner to support NASA, including its amphibious capabilities with the ability to embark helicopters, launch and recover small boats, three-dimensional air search radar and advanced medical facilities.

NASA’s Artemis II astronauts tour the U.S. Navy’s Defense Distribution Depot Center in San Diego, California, on July 19, 2023. The depot is currently being used by NASA to house the Vehicle Advanced Demonstrator for Emergency Recovery (VADER), a replica of the Orion crew module. In preparation for the agency’s Artemis II crewed mission, NASA and the U.S. Navy will conduct a series of tests to demonstrate and evaluate the processes, procedures, and hardware used in Orion recovery operations for crewed lunar missions. NASA astronauts Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen will venture around the Moon on Artemis II. The approximately 10-day flight will test NASA's foundational human deep space exploration capabilities, the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, for the first time with astronauts and will pave the way to establishing a long-term presence at the Moon for science and exploration through Artemis.

L.t. j.g Thomas Lampognana, left, explains amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha’s (LPD 26) helm control console to NASA Astronaut U.S. Navy Capt. Victor Glover and Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen, July 19, 2023. The helm is used as the primary steering for the ship underway. In preparation for NASA's Artemis II crewed mission, which will send four astronauts in Orion beyond the Moon, NASA and the U.S. Navy will conduct a series of tests to demonstrate and evaluate the processes, procedures, and hardware used in recovery operations for crewed lunar missions. The U.S. Navy has many unique capabilities that make it an ideal partner to support NASA, including its amphibious capabilities with the ability to embark helicopters, launch and recover small boats, three-dimensional air search radar and advanced medical facilities.

From left to right, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Christina Hammock Koch, pose with teams from NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program and sailors from the U.S. Navy assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 during a tour of Defense Distribution Depot Center in San Diego, California, on July 19, 2023. The depot is currently being used by NASA to house the Vehicle Advanced Demonstrator for Emergency Recovery, “VADER”, a replica of the space capsule. In preparation for NASA's Artemis II crewed mission, which will send four astronauts in Orion beyond the Moon, NASA and the U.S. Navy will conduct a series of tests to demonstrate and evaluate the processes, procedures, and hardware used in recovery operations for crewed lunar missions. The approximately 10-day flight of Artemis II will test NASA's foundational human deep space exploration capabilities, the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, for the first time with astronauts and will pave the way to establishing a long-term presence at the Moon for science and exploration through Artemis.