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USS John P. Murtha to Recover Artemis II Orion Spacecraft in Historic Mission

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Artemis II Recovery Mission: USS John P. Murtha Takes the Helm

During the original space race in the 1960s and 1970s, U.S. Navy aircraft carriers were the frequent recovery vessels for Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo mission space capsules. These large ships provided secure, resourced platforms complete with logistical and medical facilities for returning astronauts and their capsules.

For the upcoming Artemis II mission, a significant shift in strategy has been announced. The U.S. Navy has designated the USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26) to serve as the recovery ship for the Orion spacecraft and its crew, rather than an aircraft carrier.

This choice highlights evolving naval capabilities and mission requirements, as the USS John P. Murtha offers specific advantages for this crucial task.

The Artemis II Mission

The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B in Florida on April 1, 2026. This monumental event marks the first crewed flight of NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. Four astronauts will embark on an approximate 10-day journey beyond the Moon, making it humanity's first crewed voyage to the vicinity of the Moon in over 50 years. Following its mission, the Orion capsule is planned to splash down in the Pacific Ocean, where the USS John P. Murtha will be waiting to recover both the astronauts and the capsule.

Recovery Ship Selection: Why an Amphibious Dock Ship?

The decision to utilize an amphibious assault ship like the USS John P. Murtha over an aircraft carrier was influenced by several key factors. The U.S. Navy noted that the USS John P. Murtha possesses specific advantages for this task, including a well deck, a helicopter pad, robust onboard medical facilities, and advanced communication capabilities.

MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 (HSC-23), operating directly from LPD-26, will provide crucial imagery support for NASA by tracking the Orion capsule during its atmospheric re-entry. Following splashdown, these helicopters will be responsible for recovering the astronauts and transporting them safely to the ship for initial assessment before their eventual move ashore.

U.S. Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1 (EODGRU-1) will play a vital role in the physical recovery. They will recover and transport the Orion space capsule from the ocean to the ship's well deck. EODGRU-1 will also provide a dedicated dive medical team to offer additional assistance to the Artemis II astronauts.

USS John P. Murtha: A Fitting Tribute

The USS John P. Murtha, the 10th San Antonio-class amphibious dock ship, is named in honor of Congressman John P. Murtha, a former United States Marine Corps officer and Vietnam War veteran. Captain Erik Kenny, commanding officer of USS John P. Murtha, expressed that it is a fitting tribute for the ship to support this historic moment in space exploration.

Historical Context of Space Capsule Recovery

The U.S. Navy has a rich history in space capsule recovery, with various vessels playing pivotal roles over the decades:

  • USS Lake Champlain (CVS-39): This aircraft carrier recovered Freedom 7 (Mercury 3) in 1961, the unmanned Gemini 2 in 1965, and the crewed Gemini 5 in 1965.
  • Other Essex-class aircraft carriers: Notable examples include the USS Intrepid (CVS-11) for Mercury-Atlas 7 and Gemini 3; the USS Wasp (CVS-18) for multiple Gemini recoveries; and the USS Hornet (CVS-12), famously for Apollo 11 and 12.
  • USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2): This amphibious assault ship, the lead vessel of its class designed as a dedicated helicopter carrier, served as the primary recovery ship for Apollo 13 in 1970.
  • USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14): Recovered Apollo 17 in December 1972, marking the final manned moon mission of its era.
  • USS New Orleans (LPH-11): Recovered the Apollo command module for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in July 1975.

Return to Space Recovery Operations

Nearly five decades passed without the U.S. Navy conducting such recovery missions, as NASA transitioned to the Space Shuttle program (which utilized runway landings) and the use of Russian Soyuz capsules (which perform land touchdowns).

With the development of the Orion capsule, the U.S. Navy and NASA resumed developing new recovery procedures. This renewed effort saw the USS Portland (LPD-27) successfully recover the uncrewed Artemis I mission capsule in the Pacific Ocean on December 11, 2022.

The USS John P. Murtha will now be the latest U.S. Navy vessel to etch its name into the history of space capsule recovery.