NASA's Artemis II mission is approaching its conclusion, with a scheduled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego at 1:07 AM BST on Saturday. This marks the end of a 685,000-mile journey through space. The re-entry process will commence at 12:33 AM BST, when the Orion spacecraft's service module separates from the crew capsule at an altitude of about 76 miles. The capsule will then fire its engines to prepare for re-entry, facing speeds of nearly 25,000 miles per hour and temperatures reaching approximately 2,760°C. The heat shield, which is only three inches thick, is vital for protecting the astronauts during this phase, and NASA has stated there is “no plan B” if it fails. After enduring the intense conditions, parachutes will deploy to slow the capsule down for a safe landing. Recovery teams will be ready to assist once the capsule splashes down, concluding a mission that has significantly advanced human spaceflight.