Image Credit: NASA on YouTube

Artemis II Splashdown: When & How NASA’s Lunar Crew Returns to Earth

After a historic journey around the Moon, the crew of Artemis II is officially headed home—and the final moments of the mission are just as intense as the launch.

Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen are expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off Southern California at around 8:07 p.m. EDT on Friday, April 10, wrapping up a 10-day, nearly 700,000-miles around the Moon.

Here’s everything you need to know about the dramatic return of Orion spacecraft.

Splashdown Timeline: Minute-by-Minute

The return to Earth is a carefully choreographed sequence—and every second counts:

• 7:33 p.m. – The Orion crew module separates from its service module, exposing its heat shield for the fiery reentry through Earth’s atmosphere, where temperatures soar to nearly 3,000°F.
• 7:37 p.m. – A short engine burn adjusts the capsule’s angle, ensuring the heat shield is perfectly aligned for entry.
• 7:53 p.m. – Orion hits the upper atmosphere at about 400,000 feet, traveling nearly 35 times the speed of sound. The crew experiences intense G-forces (up to 3.9 Gs), and communication drops during a six-minute blackout caused by plasma buildup.
• 8:03 p.m. – Drogue parachutes deploy at about 22,000 feet, stabilizing and slowing the capsule.
• 8:04 p.m. – The main parachutes open at 6,000 feet, dramatically reducing speed.
• 8:07 p.m. – Splashdown. Orion lands in the Pacific at around 20 mph, completing its journey.

What Happens After Splashdown?

Once Orion hits the water, recovery teams from NASA and the U.S. military move in quickly.

• Astronauts are carefully removed from the capsule and placed on an inflatable raft
• Helicopters transport them to the recovery ship, the USS John P. Murtha
• Within about two hours, the crew is safely aboard the ship

From there, it’s all about recovery and evaluation. The astronauts undergo medical checks before being flown back to Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

A Major Step Toward the Moon (and Beyond)

Artemis II marks a huge milestone—it’s NASA’s first crewed mission around the Moon since the Apollo program era. While this mission doesn’t land on the lunar surface, it sets the stage for future missions that will.

Now, all eyes are on the Pacific as this next chapter in human space exploration comes full circle—literally.

Watch NASA explain Artemis II splashdown, from entry to landing:

VOTE HERE

LA28 Faces Backlash Over $5,000 Olympic Ticket Prices—Here’s What’s Really Going On

Los Angeles is gearing up to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, but excitement over ticket sales is quickly being overshadowed by frustration. As global ticket sales officially opened today, many local fans are voicing concerns over sky-high prices and limited availability—despite promises of affordable options.

Sticker Shock Hits Southern California

Leading up to the global ticket release, organizers for LA28 promoted accessibility, even offering hundreds of thousands of tickets priced at just $28 during a locals-only presale. But for many fans, those deals were nearly impossible to secure.

Now, with the first global sales phase—known as “Drop 1”—underway, complaints are pouring in. Fans browsing the site report seeing mostly premium seats, especially for high-demand events like the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, with prices soaring to $5,000 or more.

Why Are Tickets So Expensive?

According to LA28 officials, the issue isn’t a lack of affordable tickets—it’s demand.

Allison Katz Mayfield, Senior VP of Revenue for LA28, explained that local buyers were given early access to the widest selection of tickets, and the lowest-priced options sold out quickly. Importantly, no new inventory was added for the global release, meaning international buyers are competing for what’s left.

Organizers say about 30% of remaining tickets are still priced under $200, but those options may be limited or tied to less popular events.

Adding to the cost, ticket prices include a 24% service fee, which covers operational expenses like payment processing and customer support.

What Fans Can Expect Moving Forward

If you missed out this time, you’re not out of luck.

The current “Drop 1” window runs through April 19, and fans who weren’t selected are automatically entered into future ticket releases later this year. Additional opportunities—including resale options—are on the horizon:

• Late 2026: More ticket drops with new inventory
• 2027: Official resale platform launches
• 2027: Paralympic ticket draw opens
• July 14, 2028: Opening Ceremony kicks off in Inglewood

Tips for Getting Tickets Without Breaking the Bank

If you’re still hoping to attend the Games, here are a few smart strategies:

• Check your email regularly for ticket access windows if you registered
• Use ticket filters to find standard (non-premium) pricing
• Be flexible—less popular sports often have better availability and lower prices
• Avoid resale sites for now—tickets on third-party platforms are not verified yet
• Consider the Paralympics for more affordable, family-friendly options

The Bottom Line

While LA28 organizers insist that affordable tickets do exist, the reality for many fans has been a tough mix of high demand and limited supply. For now, patience—and a bit of flexibility—may be the best strategy for anyone hoping to be part of the Olympic experience in Los Angeles.

If it feels like you’re being asked to tip everywhere these days, you’re not alone. From coffee counters to takeout screens, tipping prompts seem unavoidable. But despite the growing complaints, a new report suggests Americans aren’t actually tipping any less.

So, what’s really going on?

According to recent data from restaurant tech company Toast, tipping habits have stayed surprisingly steady. In the final three months of last year, the average tip percentage didn’t budge—and it hasn’t changed much at all over the past seven years.

Where people tip the most (and least)

While overall tipping behavior is consistent nationwide, where you live can make a big difference in how much you leave behind.

• Delaware takes the top spot as the most generous state overall, leading in both total tipping and tips at full-service restaurants.
• When it comes to quick-service spots, West Virginia comes out on top, with Wyoming not far behind.

On the flip side:

• California ranks last in total tipping and at full-service restaurants, trailing most states by more than a full percentage point.
• New Jersey lands at the bottom for quick-service restaurant tipping.
• Washington is the only other state dipping below the 18% average tipping mark.

The numbers tell the story

Tipping at full-service restaurants has remained remarkably stable, sitting at about 19.2%. Since 2018, it’s barely moved—never dropping below 19.1% or rising above the 19.8% peak seen during 2020 and 2021.

Quick-service tipping is currently at its lowest point in that same timeframe, but even that number has held steady for over a year.

What about “tipping fatigue”?

Even though many customers say they’re tired of constant tip requests, the data doesn’t show a major shift in behavior—at least not yet. People may be annoyed, but they’re still tipping at roughly the same rates.

A quick note on the data

The report is based on digital and card payments made through Toast’s system during the last quarter of the year. That means cash tips weren’t included, which could slightly impact the full picture.

Bottom line

Tipping fatigue might feel real—but when it comes to actual dollars and percentages, Americans are staying pretty consistent. At least for now.