​NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! SAN DIEGO, California – The Artemis II lunar mission is approaching its end, beginning with a safe splashdown near the San Diego coast. The Orion spacecraft, with four astronauts aboard, is set to return on Friday, aided by the U.S. Navy in recovering the capsule and crew from the Pacific Ocean. San Diego, with its strong Navy heritage, is at the heart of this operation. Multiple bases in the region are spearheading the recovery efforts, instilling pride and excitement in the community. Residents and visitors from nationwide are anticipated to assemble along the shoreline and at local museums to celebrate the crew’s return. ARTEMIS II ASTRONAUTS DISPLAY APOLLO 18 FLAG FROM ORBIT. “We’re back in the deep space game,” said Jim Kidrick, president and CEO of the San Diego Air and Space Museum. “You return to General Patton from World War II—you know, Americans love winners and won’t put up with losers.” This mission represents the latest milestone in space exploration, concluding—at least temporarily—off the Southern California coast. The Orion astronauts are heading home after orbiting the moon and venturing over 252,000 miles from Earth. “I think people have been invigorated by one word dominating space news today, and that’s the moon,” Kidrick remarked. ARTEMIS II PILOT VICTOR GLOVER’S DAUGHTER STEALS THE SHOW WITH TRIBUTE. At the museum, the Apollo program’s story is once again in the spotlight, as focus returns to deep space over 50 years later. “There are so many… historic moments that have happened.” “It’s kind of cool to just be part of one of them,” said Abigail Lawrence, who is visiting from Utah. Others visiting San Diego for the splashdown shared similar excitement. “You know what?”