Sarah Manning, an aerospace engineer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, is part of a team that operates “Sasquatch,” an important software tool created specifically for the agency’s Orion spacecraft. Sasquatch will be used to predict large footprints of the various debris that will be released from Orion before splashdown into the Pacific Ocean. The Landing and Recovery team, based out of Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will be aboard a Navy ship, ready to retrieve Orion and some of the intentionally released debris.

Senior Airman Kyle Boyes of the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron out of Patrick Air Force Base in Florida releases a weather balloon during Underway Recovery Test-8 in the Pacific Ocean in March 2020. Winds data gathered from weather balloons will help inform the course of the U.S. Navy ship carrying NASA’s Landing and Recovery team based out of Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center, as it heads to where Orion will splash down following Artemis missions.

Jeremy Parr participates in the training of new Landing and Recovery team members during Underway Recovery Test-8. NASA is preparing for an Orion splashdown in the Pacific Ocean after Artemis I.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery Team review wave data during Underway Recovery Test-8 off the coast of California. By tracking wave direction and length, the team will ensure a smoother recovery of the Orion spacecraft into the well deck of a Navy ship. During the test, the team practiced to ensure recovery procedure timelines are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis I around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Eric Hernandez (middle) trains Landing and Recovery team members as NASA prepares for an Orion splashdown in the Pacific Ocean after Artemis I.

NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, composed of members from the Department of Defense, NASA and contractor Jacobs, practiced securing a test version of Orion into the well deck of a ship. During the test, the team practiced to ensure recovery procedure timelines are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis I around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

A test version of Orion sits nestled in its cradle during Underway Recovery Test-8 off the coast of California. During the test, the team practiced to ensure recovery procedure timelines are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis I around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, Navy Seaman Daniel Ricci helps manage the lines to help control a test version of the Orion spacecraft as it is brought into the well deck of the USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26). During this first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I, NASA’s Landing and Recovery team met their objectives.

NASA’s Landing and Recovery team practice bringing a test version of the Orion capsule into the well deck of a Navy ship during Underway Recovery Test-8. During the test, the team practiced to ensure recovery procedure timelines are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis I around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery Team, along with Navy sailors from the USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) practice bringing in a test version of Orion during Underway Recovery Test-8 off the coast of California. During the test, the team practiced to ensure recovery procedure timelines are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis I around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery Team, along with Navy sailors from the USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) and divers from EOD Mobile Unit 3, MDS Company 3-1, approach a test version of Orion during Underway Recovery Test-8 off the coast of California. During the test, the team practiced to ensure recovery procedure timelines are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis I around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, Navy Seaman Daniel Ricci helps manage the lines to help control a test version of the Orion spacecraft as it is brought into the well deck of the USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26). During this first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I, NASA’s Landing and Recovery team met their objectives.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, Navy Seaman Daniel Ricci helps manage the lines to help control a test version of the Orion spacecraft as it is brought into the well deck of the USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26). During this first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I, NASA’s Landing and Recovery team met their objectives.

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery Team, along with Navy sailors from the USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) and divers from EOD Mobile Unit 3, MDS Company 3-1, attach tending lines a test version of Orion during Underway Recovery Test-8 off the coast of California. During the test, the team practiced to ensure recovery procedure timelines are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis I around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, Navy Seaman Daniel Ricci helps manage the lines to help control a test version of the Orion spacecraft as it is brought into the well deck of the USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26). During this first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I, NASA’s Landing and Recovery team met their objectives.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, Navy Seaman Daniel Ricci helps manage the lines to help control a test version of the Orion spacecraft as it is brought into the well deck of the USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26). During this first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I, NASA’s Landing and Recovery team met their objectives.

During the first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I, NASA’s Landing and Recovery team met their objectives. The team works with members of the DoD to hone their procedures before Orion splashes down in the Pacific as part of NASA’s Artemis program. During Underway Recovery Test-8, two divers from EOD Mobile Unit 3, MDS Company 3-1work the tending line while a test version of Orion is being pulled into the well deck of the USS John P. Murtha.

NASA’s Landing and Recovery team, composed of members from the Department of Defense, NASA and contractor Jacobs, practiced securing a test version of Orion into the well deck of a ship. During the test, the team practiced to ensure recovery procedure timelines are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis I around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

With the USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) in the distance, Seahawks from the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, also known as Wildcards, fly by a test version of an Orion capsule during Underway Recovery Test-8 in the Pacific Ocean. During this first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I, NASA’s Landing and Recovery team met their objectives.

During the first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I, NASA’s Landing and Recovery team met their objectives. The team works with members of the DoD to hone their procedures before Orion splashes down in the Pacific as part of NASA’s Artemis program. During Underway Recovery Test-8, two divers from EOD Mobile Unit 3, MDS Company 3-1 work the tending line while a test version of Orion is being pulled into the well deck of the USS John P. Murtha.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, NASA's Landing and Recovery team from Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center performed their first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I aboard the USS John P. Murtha in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, with the newly upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, NASA's Landing and Recovery team from Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center performed their first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I aboard the USS John P. Murtha in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, with the newly upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, NASA's Landing and Recovery team from Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center performed their first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I aboard the USS John P. Murtha in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, with the newly upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, NASA's Landing and Recovery team from Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center performed their first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I aboard the USS John P. Murtha in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, with the newly upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, NASA's Landing and Recovery team from Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center performed their first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I aboard the USS John P. Murtha in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, with the newly upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, NASA's Landing and Recovery team from Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center performed their first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I aboard the USS John P. Murtha in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, with the newly upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, NASA's Landing and Recovery team from Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center performed their first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I aboard the USS John P. Murtha in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, with the newly upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, NASA's Landing and Recovery team from Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center performed their first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I aboard the USS John P. Murtha in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, with the newly upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, NASA's Landing and Recovery team from Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center performed their first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I aboard the USS John P. Murtha in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, with the newly upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, NASA's Landing and Recovery team from Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center performed their first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I aboard the USS John P. Murtha in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, with the newly upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center.

During Underway Recovery Test-8, NASA's Landing and Recovery team from Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center performed their first full mission profile test of the recovery procedures for Artemis I aboard the USS John P. Murtha in the Pacific Ocean. Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, with the newly upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center.

Astronaut Michael Barratt observes Underway Recovery Test-8 aboard the USS John P. Murtha. During the test, NASA’s Landing and Recovery Team practiced bringing Orion into the well deck of the ship to ensure recovery procedure timelines are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis I around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Astronauts Jessica Watkins and Michael Barratt observe Underway Recovery Test-8 aboard the USS John P. Murtha. During the test, NASA’s Landing and Recovery Team practiced bringing Orion into the well deck of the ship to ensure recovery procedure timelines are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis I around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Astronaut Jessica Watkins observes Underway Recovery Test-8 aboard the USS John P. Murtha. During the test, NASA’s Landing and Recovery Team practiced bringing Orion into the well deck of the ship to ensure recovery procedure timelines are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis I around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Astronaut Michael Barratt observes Underway Recovery Test-8 aboard the USS John P. Murtha. During the test, NASA’s Landing and Recovery Team practiced bringing Orion into the well deck of the ship to ensure recovery procedure timelines are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis I around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

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, 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, 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.