NASA astronaut Stan Love receives a presentation of a flag flown on USS Somerset from Capt. Andrew Koy, commanding officer of USS Somerset as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Capt. Andrew Koy, commanding officer, and Cdr. Kevin Mutai, executive officer of USS Somerset pose for a picture with the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) in the well deck of USS Somerset as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Stan Love presents a montage to Capt. Andrew Koy, commanding officer of USS Somerset as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

USS Somerset sailors direct the landing of helicopters with astronauts onboard during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

USS Somerset sailors direct the landing of helicopters with astronauts during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Stan Love receives a presentation of a flown flag from Capt. Andrew Koy, commanding officer of USS Somerset as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Bert Kallio, lead mechanical engineer for the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) talks to sailors from USS Somerset as they have an opportunity to view the CMTA during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

USS Somerset personnel deploy fast boats during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Stan Love presents a montage to Capt. Andrew Koy, commanding officer of USS Somerset as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

USS Somerset sailors direct the landing of helicopters with astronauts during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Vice Adm. John F. G. Wade, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, left, and NASA Artemis II Mission Pilot, Victor Glover, pose for a photo in the well deck of amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) ahead of NASA Underway Recovery Test 12 on Naval Base San Diego, March 25, 2025. In preparation for NASA's Artemis II crewed mission, which will send four astronauts around the moon and beyond in the Orion spacecraft, NASA and the Department of Defense will conduct a series of tests to demonstrate and evaluate the processes, procedures, and hardware used in recovery operations for crewed lunar missions.

Vice Adm. John F. G. Wade, commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet, speaks with NASA astronaut Stan Love inside an Orion crew module test article in the well deck of amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) ahead of NASA Underway Recovery Test 12 on Naval Base San Diego, March 25, 2025. In preparation for NASA's Artemis II crewed mission, which will send four astronauts around the Moon and beyond in the Orion spacecraft, NASA and the Department of Defense will conduct a series of tests to demonstrate and evaluate the processes, procedures, and hardware used in recovery operations for crewed lunar missions.

Lili Villarreal, Artemis landing and recovery director with Exploration Ground Systems, right, and NASA astronaut Stan Love present a montage to Capt. Andrew Koy, commanding officer of USS Somerset as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Monitors show various views of the well deck of USS Somerset as teams practice recovering the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Sailors from USS Somerset assist in the recovery of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, as teams practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Sailors from USS Somerset assist in the recovery of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, as teams practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Capt. Andrew Koy, commanding officer of USS Somerset addresses NASA and Department of Defense recovery team members during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronauts Victor Glover, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, and NASA astronauts Dinez Burnham and Andre Douglas look on alongside NASA and Department of Defense teams as Capt. Andrew Koy, commanding officer of USS Somerset addresses them during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Capt. Andrew “Andy” Koy, commanding officer of USS Somerset (LPD 25), U.S. Navy, gives remarks during a media event where NASA and the Department of Defense discussed the recovery operations that will bring the Artemis II astronauts and the agency’s Orion spacecraft home at the conclusion of next year’s mission around the Moon, Monday, March 31, 2025, onboard USS Somerset at Naval Base San Diego, in California. The teams spent the week practicing the procedures they will use to recover the astronauts after their more than 600,000 mile journey from Earth to the Moon and back on the first crewed mission under the Artemis campaign. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Capt. Andrew “Andy” Koy, commanding officer of USS Somerset (LPD 25), U.S. Navy, gives remarks during a media event where NASA and the Department of Defense discussed the recovery operations that will bring the Artemis II astronauts and the agency’s Orion spacecraft home at the conclusion of next year’s mission around the Moon, Monday, March 31, 2025, onboard USS Somerset at Naval Base San Diego, in California. The teams spent the week practicing the procedures they will use to recover the astronauts after their more than 600,000 mile journey from Earth to the Moon and back on the first crewed mission under the Artemis campaign. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronauts Deniz Burnham and Andrew Douglas are seen inside the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full-scale replica of the Orion spacecraft, during a familiarization walkthrough as part of Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Fast boats are deployed during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronauts Andre Douglas, left, and Deniz Burnham, are seen as they finish putting on their Orion Crew Survival System suits as they prepare to take part in practicing Artemis recovery procedures during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Navy MH-60 Seahawk helicopters are seen onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12, Friday, March 28, 2025. During the test, teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Teams gather as they prepare for the first day of Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Navy MH-60 Seahawk helicopters are seen onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Deniz Burnham is seen as she prepares to take part in practicing Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A helicopter lands on USS Somerset off the coast of California, as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. During the test, teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Mission support teams are seen off the stern of USS Somerset as they practice with the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA and Department of Defense teams, onboard USS Somerset, depart San Diego as they start Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. During the test, the teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano is seen as he prepares to take part in practicing Artemis recovery procedures during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA and Department of Defense teams, onboard USS Somerset, depart San Diego as they start Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. During the test, the teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team clean up after completing the days activities during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Waves come into the well deck of USS Somerset as teams deploy the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The daily schedule is posted during the Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 flies over the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) as teams practice operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Mission support teams are seen off the stern of USS Somerset as they practice with the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Mission support teams are seen toeing in rope line on USS Somerset as they practice with the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk helicopter flies past USS Somerset off the coast of California, as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 is seen as it lifts a training manikin as teams practice Artemis recovery procedures during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky) 1st lift

Fast boats are deployed during the Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Friday, March 28, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Navy MH-60 Seahawk helicopter team members are seen onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12, Friday, March 28, 2025. During the test, teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Teams clean up after completing the days activities during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A helicopter flies by USS Somerset off the coast of California, as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. During the test, teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A helicopter lands on USS Somerset off the coast of California, as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. During the test, teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronauts Andre Douglas, left, and Deniz Burnham, are seen as they are assisted with putting on their Orion Crew Survival System suits as they prepare to take part in practicing Artemis recovery procedures during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Boats are deployed during the Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Friday, March 28, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Fast boats are deployed during the Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Friday, March 28, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 approaches USS Somerset after recovering crew from the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale replica of the Orion spacecraft, during Underway Recovery Test-12, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Fast boats are deployed during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Mission support teams are seen off the stern of USS Somerset as they practice with the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Indicators showing the water level in the well deck of USS Somerset are seen as teams deploy the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Navy Divers of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 1 prepare to take part in practicing Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 approaches USS Somerset after recovering crew from the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale replica of the Orion spacecraft, during Underway Recovery Test-12, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Members of Department of Defense recovery view the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Sergeant Huff of the 45 weather squadron deploys a weather balloon during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A helicopter lands on USS Somerset off the coast of California, as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. During the test, teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A helicopter lands on USS Somerset off the coast of California, as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. During the test, teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Airbags as part of the Orion crew module uprighting system are seen on the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) as teams prepare to practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 returns to USS Somerset as teams practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Friday, March 28, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Navy Divers of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 1 are seen as they prepare to practice Artemis recovery procedures during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Mission support teams are seen off the stern of USS Somerset as they practice with the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Mission support teams are seen off the stern of USS Somerset as they practice with the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Navy MH-60 Seahawk helicopter team members are seen onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, as NASA and Department of Defense teams participate in Underway Recovery Test-12, Friday, March 28, 2025. During the test, teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Signatures of astronauts who have participated in Artemis recovery training are seen on a panel inside the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Deniz Burnham signs an interior panel of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut U.S. Navy Capt. Victor Glover provides the oath of re-enlistment to Chief Naval Aircrewman Helicopter Sean Sondergaard in the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Teams gather as they prepare the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, during the Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Navy Divers of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 1 prepare to take part in practicing Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Friday, March 28, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Stan Love signs an interior panel of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 approaches USS Somerset after recovering crew from the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale replica of the Orion spacecraft, during Underway Recovery Test-12, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team clean up after completing the days activities during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano signs an interior panel of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Capt. Andrew “Andy” Koy, commanding officer of USS Somerset (LPD 25), U.S. Navy, gives remarks during a media event where NASA and the Department of Defense discussed the recovery operations that will bring the Artemis II astronauts and the agency’s Orion spacecraft home at the conclusion of next year’s mission around the Moon, Monday, March 31, 2025, onboard USS Somerset at Naval Base San Diego, in California. The teams spent the week practicing the procedures they will use to recover the astronauts after their more than 600,000 mile journey from Earth to the Moon and back on the first crewed mission under the Artemis campaign. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut and Artemis II backup crew member Andre Douglas is seen with Navy Divers of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 1 as he and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, and NASA astronaut Deniz Burnham prepare to take part in Artemis recovery operations as part of Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Members of NASA and Department of Defense Artemis recovery teams pose for a picture with NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Dinez Burnham, Andre Douglas, Stan Love, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano alongside the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut U.S. Navy Capt. Victor Glover provides the oath of re-enlistment to Aviation Ordnanceman Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Keating in the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Two Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen as they approach the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) to recover crew members as NASA and Navy recovery teams practice operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Bert Kallio, lead mechanical engineer for the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), left, answers questions about the CMTA while sailors and members of the Department of Defense Artemis recovery teams had an opportunity to view the CMTA during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 is seen as it lifts ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano as teams practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky) 4th lift

ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano is seen in the window as a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 returns to USS Somerset as teams practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Friday, March 28, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut U.S. Navy Capt. Victor Glover provides the oath of re-enlistment to Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 2nd Class Noah Boggs in the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Bert Kallio, lead mechanical engineer for the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), left, answers questions about the CMTA while sailors and members of the Department of Defense Artemis recovery teams had an opportunity to view the CMTA during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 is seen as it lifts NASA astronaut Andre Douglas as teams practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky) 2nd lift

Three Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen on the deck of USS Somerset as a fourth approaches to land as teams practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Friday, March 28, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls and Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Stan Love, left, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, and NASA astronauts Andre Douglas and Deniz Burnham pose for a picture inside the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) after signing a panel inside as they participate in Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) is seen in the Pacific Ocean as Navy Divers of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 1 prepare to take part in practicing Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 is seen as it lifts NASA astronaut Dinez Burnham as teams practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky) 3rd lift

Members of Department of Defense Artemis recovery team view the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) and have an opportunity to take pictures with ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, and NASA astronauts Stan Love, Deniz Burnham, and Andre Douglas during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Navy Divers of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 1 prepare to take NASA astronauts Andre Douglas, Deniz Burnham, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano out to the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) as teams practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Liliana Villarreal, NASA’s Artemis II landing and recovery director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, gives remarks, as Capt. Andrew “Andy” Koy, commanding officer of USS Somerset (LPD 25), U.S. Navy, left, and Lt. Col. David Mahan, commander, U.S. Air Force’s 1st Air Force, Detachment 3, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, look on, during a media event where NASA and the Department of Defense discussed the recovery operations that will bring the Artemis II astronauts and the agency’s Orion spacecraft home at the conclusion of next year’s mission around the Moon, Monday, March 31, 2025, onboard USS Somerset at Naval Base San Diego, in California. The teams spent the week practicing the procedures they will use to recover the astronauts after their more than 600,000 mile journey from Earth to the Moon and back on the first crewed mission under the Artemis campaign. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, is seen during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, is seen during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Members of NASA’s Landing and Recovery team are seen as they recover the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, as teams practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, is seen during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Teams recover the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, as they practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Members of the NASA and Department of Defense recovery team work inside the Landing Force Operations Center onboard USS Somerset as they practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Teams work to recover the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale replica of the Orion spacecraft, as they practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls and Joel Kowsky)

The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, is seen in the well deck of USS Somerset as teams practice Artemis recovery operations during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Saturday, March 29, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Waves break inside USS Somerset as the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), a full scale mockup of the Orion spacecraft, is tethered during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)