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U.S. Navy divers, hooked up to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1, conduct a hazardous materials detection sweep of the Artemis II crew module after its return from its lunar mission on April 10, 2026. (David Rowe/U.S. Navy)
Six Navy photographers have been among the many first to seize the Artemis II astronauts’ homecoming. Though the sailors have returned to their common duties, they nonetheless take into consideration their mission.
“When people see our photos, I hope they feel like they are seeing history in the making,” MC2 Kenneth Melseth stated this week.
From the waters of the Pacific Ocean to the flight deck of the USS John P. Murtha, Melseth and his colleagues have been in place to cowl each stage of the astronauts’ return on April 10 utilizing picture and video.
On a restoration boat transferring throughout the Pacific Ocean, MC2 David Rowe watched the Orion capsule parachute down from the sky as Navy and NASA groups moved in to start restoration operations.
From left to proper, NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman pose for a photograph on the entrance porch earlier than transiting to amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), April 10, 2026. (David Rowe/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Navy divers, hooked up to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 1, method the Artemis II crew module to recuperate the crew after coming back from their lunar mission on April 10, 2026. (David Rowe/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Navy divers, hooked up to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 1, method the Artemis II crew module, to recuperate the Artemis II crew after coming back from its lunar mission on April 10, 2026. (David Rowe/U.S. Navy)
“I’ll never forget hearing the sonic boom as the capsule reentered the atmosphere, watching it splash down, and racing over by [the] boat,” stated Rowe, a Navy dive photographer stationed at Naval Command in San Diego. He was among the many first to seize the hatch opening and the astronauts rising.
The sailors have photographed many particular assignments throughout their careers, however all of them agree that this one stands out as probably the most significant.
“Taking photos that will go down in history is a huge honor,” stated MC2 August Clawson, who serves with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group ONE in Coronado, Calif.
The different photographers included: MCSN Matthew Green, stationed on the USS Carl Vinson; MC3 Elyssia Rodriguez, stationed on the USS Carl Vinson; and MC1 Charles Scudella III, with Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego.
U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Green, assigned to plane provider USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), captures video footage of the Orion crew module within the Pacific Ocean from the bridge wing of amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Charles J. Scudella III/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist third Class Elyssia Rodriguez prepares for the arrival of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on the flight deck aboard amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) within the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Kenneth Melseth/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Melseth walks along with his digicam bag on July 1, 2025. Melseth was considered one of six Navy photographers assigned to doc the restoration of Artemis II within the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Sam McNeely/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Charles Scudella III talks with a sailor on Friday, April 10, 2026. Scudella was considered one of six Navy photographers assigned to doc the restoration of Artemis II within the Pacific Ocean. (Kristi Johnson/U.S. Navy)
As Rowe captured the capsule from the water, the opposite sailors stood on the flight deck of the USS John P. Murtha, ready for the helicopters carrying the astronauts to land.
“All I could think about was how badly I didn’t want to mess this up,” stated Melseth, who’s stationed on the USS America in San Diego. “This was likely the best chance I would ever have to document history and leave my own mark on it.”
Artemis II was NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby mission in additional than 50 years, sending 4 astronauts on a 10-day journey across the moon. It launched on April 1. The crew included commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor J. Glover Jr., and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
Glover is a captain within the Navy who deployed in assist of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Wiseman is a retired Navy captain who deployed in assist of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Artemis II astronauts Reid Wiseman, left, and Jeremy Hansen rejoice in an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter hooked up to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, aboard the USS John P. Murtha, after splashing down within the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 10, 2026. Wiseman, a retired Navy captain and Iraq War veteran, commanded the historic moon mission. (Kenneth Melseth/U.S. Navy)
NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Capt. Victor J. Glover, heart, raises his fist in celebration on the flight deck aboard amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha following extraction from the Orion crew module within the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Kenneth Melseth/U.S. Navy)
NASA astronaut Christina Koch, heart left, walks throughout the flight deck aboard amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha following extraction from the Orion crew module within the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Kenneth Melseth/U.S. Navy)
“The gravity of this mission, no pun intended, made it special to me. I was one of the few hundred people that got to take part in documenting the Navy’s recovery of the crew and capsule,” Rodriguez stated.
In the times main as much as the astronauts’ return, the group held day by day planning periods and coordinated their technique for documenting that day. Scudella stated their essential purpose was to “capture imagery that showed the weight of the moment,” together with the feelings of sailors and Marines in addition to the “pure relief and joy of the astronauts.”
“That’s what we really wanted to show, and I think our team succeeded,” Scudella stated.
Artemis II pilot and Navy captain Victor J. Glover claps for sailors assigned to the USS John P. Murtha, following the astronauts’ extraction from the Orion area capsule within the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Elyssia Rodriguez/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Navy divers assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1 and sailors assigned to amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha drive rigid-hull inflatable boats within the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Elyssia Rodriguez/U.S. Navy)
NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, left, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen rejoice in an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, hooked up to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, aboard amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha following extraction from the Orion crew module within the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Elyssia Rodriguez/U.S. Navy)
Clawson stated there have been pure moments that helped the group get nice photographs, just like the astronauts touchdown on the flight deck proper when the solar was setting, which created a “beautiful golden light” that gave him the enduring photographs of Koch sitting within the helicopter.
“The moment was surreal. I had a giddy feeling knowing I just took photos of astronauts that just went farther from Earth than any before them,” Clawson stated.
Since the spacecraft and crew returned, the group’s photographs have circulated throughout the web, and the mission continues to resonate all over the world.
“Seeing it get attention, and from such large outlets, is both delightful and a great learning experience,” Green stated. “Being able to cover such a high profile event was a perfect reminder of how thankful I am to have this job.”
NASA astronaut Christina Koch sits in an U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawk hooked up to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 on the flight deck of the San Antonio Class amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha after coming back from area on Friday, April 10, 2026. (August Clawson/U.S. Navy)
The Orion spacecraft parachutes towards the ocean close to the amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha after coming back from area on Friday, April 10, 2026. (August Clawson/U.S. Navy)
The NASA Orion area craft is winched into the properly deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha after coming back from the Artemis II lunar mission on Friday, April 10, 2026. (August Clawson/U.S. Navy)
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