splashdown

American  

[splash-doun] / ˈsplæʃˌdaʊn /

noun

1. the landing of a space vehicle in a body of water, especially the ocean.

   The footage of Apollo 11's splashdown was seen by millions across the United States.

2. the exact place where such a landing is made.

   The splashdown is expected to be American Samoa.

3. the time of such a landing.

   The splashdown was 2:04 p.m.

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verb phrase

1. (of a spacecraft or an astronaut) to land in a body of water, especially the ocean.

   The crew of Expedition 55 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean exactly as predicted at 10:43 this morning.

splashdown British  

/ ˈsplæʃˌdaʊn /

noun

1. the controlled landing of a spacecraft on water at the end of a space flight

2. the time scheduled for this event

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verb

1. (intr, adverb) (of a spacecraft) to make a splashdown

Etymology

Origin of splashdown

First recorded in 1955–60; splash ( def. ) + down ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

When a space capsule falls back to earth and makes a water landing, it's called a splashdown. The first people to set foot on the moon, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, along with pilot Michael Collins, returned home in a splashdown on July 24,1969. The three astronauts were inside the Apollo 11 command module as it re-entered Earth's atmosphere, deployed parachutes, and splashed safely into the Pacific Ocean. It's just one example of many successful splashdowns in NASA's history.

Example Sentences

The “NOVA” presentation, bookended by takeoff and splashdown footage, isn’t for astrophysicists.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Artemis II’s launch and splashdown are also within the top five most viewed broadcasts.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Next came the riskiest part, between re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere and splashdown.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Insitutions including museums held Artemis splashdown parties, and some teachers integrated the launch into their lessons.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

Additionally, the pressurized space helmets would cause headsets to jerk forward and cover their eyes during an actual splashdown, so they had to practice for this, as well.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson

Related Words

• accident
• collapse
• impact
• pileup
• wreck