CBS News reporter Jared Ochacher was at the Fleet Science Center in San Diego as more than a thousand people — children and adults — gathered to watch live coverage of the Artemis II crew’s splashdown, which occurred less than 100 miles offshore. Spectators cheered, clapped and shouted as the capsule descended and recovery boats worked in deliberately choppy waters built for the operation.
People leaving the center offered one-word reactions like ‘amazing,’ ‘awesome,’ ‘historic’ and ‘inspiring.’ One woman described the moment as ‘harmony,’ saying it briefly united people despite their differences. Attendees repeatedly praised NASA for its ‘precision’ during recovery, and many commented on how smoothly each step proceeded; one child joked it was ‘boring’ because everything went so perfectly.
Ochacher noted the recovery vessels are designed for rough seas and explained that crew members will be hoisted into a helicopter and go through medical checks and reconditioning as they readjust to Earth. Across the science center and the region, viewers celebrated the successful splashdown and expressed relief and excitement that the crew had returned safely.