San Diego kids witness the Orion capsule return to Earth

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (NBC) - The Orion capsule returned to Earth Sunday, with a picture perfect splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Orion's return also brings NASA one step closer to returning astronauts to the moon.

In San Diego, the Air and Space Museum held a watch party for kids to witness the historic moment.

Rekindling San Diego's love affair with space

Few things are cool enough to get a kid out of bed on a Sunday morning.

But, a space capsule landing in the ocean, just might be one of them.

"Watching it was a very cool experience and seeing how fast it was going was crazy," Quinn Wrecks, a Boy Scout, said.

NASA's Orion space capsule made a big splash today, bringing its artemins 1 moon mission to a close, and rekindling San Diego's love affair with space.

"Very emotional. The idea that we are getting back out there again, exploring," San Diego resident Faith Thomas shared.

Phase two

Orion had been on a 26-day journey to the moon and back to test how ready it will be when astronauts board for phase two of the mission - Artemis 2, expected in 2024.

"Technicians, engineers, and divers left the navy ship in small boats, and over the next few hours what they are going to do is retrieve the capsule, secure the capsule and before they do anything they're going to get the measurements and gather out much data as they can about the thermal properties of the spacecraft," NASA Robotics Technologist Kamak Ebadi explained.

So far, Ebadi says it appears Artemis 1 was a success.

"It is the start of a new era in human history. So, we are all lucky to be alive and witness this."

Dozens of witnesses

Also on hand to watch this this morning were dozens of San Diego families, scout troops, and space enthusiasts.

"Space exploration has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. My dad here saw the Apollo 11 mission splashdown when he was just five years old. It's crazy to think that I'm in his shoes now and seeing a new generation of space flight," UCSD Aerospace Student Dave Leyga said.

"We're making history again. Seeing our space program open back up and doing things I think it's very important for our kids to see that," Thomas added.

A historic event that is already playing a role in the next phase of humanity's relationship with the moon.

"This is the kind of future I'm looking to achieve, looking to pursue," Leyga continued.

Reigniting dreams of space travel.

From Artemis 2 to Artemis 3

In addition to Artemis 2, launching in 2024, Artemis 3 will launch in 2025.

While Artemis 2 will send astronauts to the moon and back, Artemis 3 will land astronauts on the moon.

It has been 50 years since astronauts reached the lunar surface.