Introduction

NASA, in collaboration with the Department of Defense, is set to host an exclusive media event focusing on the remarkable recovery operations aimed at bringing back the Artemis II astronauts and the Orion spacecraft after their groundbreaking journey around the Moon. Mark your calendars for 3 p.m. PDT on Monday, March 31, at the Naval Base San Diego in California—this event promises to be an enlightening glimpse into the future of space exploration!

Recovery Operations Overview

As teams work diligently in the Pacific Ocean, they are rehearsing the intricate procedures required to safely recover the astronauts following their impressive over 600,000-mile journey—a striking feat for humanity’s return to crewed lunar missions. Reporters will have the exceptional opportunity to see a test version of the Orion spacecraft and other hardware in action during the event.

RSVP and Media Access

Those interested in covering this monumental occasion must RSVP by 4 p.m. PDT on Friday, March 28. Media representatives are encouraged to reach out to Naval Base San Diego Public Affairs through the provided contact details for reservation and access information.

Key Figures Attending

Key figures attending this event include: - **Liliana Villarreal**, NASA’s Artemis II landing and recovery director from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida - **Capt. Andrew “Andy” Koy**, commanding officer of USS Somerset (LPD 25), U.S. Navy - **Lt. Col. David Mahan**, commander of the U.S. Air Force’s 1st Air Force, Detachment 3, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida - Several astronauts taking part in the testing operations, who will be available for interviews.

Significance of Artemis II Mission

The Artemis II mission is particularly historic as it will serve as the first test flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft with a crew aboard. The talented crew includes NASA astronauts **Reid Wiseman**, **Victor Glover**, **Christina Koch**, along with **Jeremy Hansen** from the Canadian Space Agency. This mission represents a significant leap toward not only achieving lunar landings but also preparing astronauts for future missions to Mars.

Conclusion

As space enthusiasts anticipate this mission, it’s clear that NASA is on the brink of ushering in a new era of exploration. Follow the latest updates on Artemis II to be at the forefront of this extraordinary journey. For further details, check out NASA's comprehensive coverage of the Artemis II mission at [NASA Artemis II](https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/). The countdown to humanity's next giant leap into the cosmos has begun—stay tuned!