The nine-day mission, which launched on 1 April 2026, sent the crew on the first human lunar fly-by in more than 50 years. Travelling on a free-return trajectory around the moon, the mission successfully validated key spacecraft systems, crew procedures and operational concepts needed for future missions deeper into space.
While much of the public focus was on the launch and the journey beyond Earth orbit, mission planners placed significant emphasis on what happens after the spacecraft returns. Following splashdown, astronauts were required to exit the Orion capsule and remain afloat in open water until recovery teams completed extraction procedures, a phase where safety margins are critical.
To support this, Omni Defense Tech developed custom life preserver units based on its proven OTFD flotation device technology. These units were specifically engineered for the Artemis II crew, offering enhanced durability, compatibility with astronaut recovery systems, and the ability to withstand pressure changes associated with spaceflight, features not typically required in standard military flotation gear.
NASA selected Omni for the project following the company’s extensive track record supporting US military aviation. Its flotation systems are already widely used by active service personnel, with more than 22,000 units delivered under contract for parachutist operations.
Omni Defense Tech chief executive Mark Harvie said the project demonstrated the importance of every stage of a mission.
“Every phase matters, including what happens after the spacecraft returns to Earth,” he said. “This work shows how proven technology can be adapted to meet the unique demands of human spaceflight.”
The low-profile design of the life preservers ensured they did not interfere with astronaut movement during the critical post-landing phase, while still providing reliable flotation in the event of complications.
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Vermont, Omni specialises in mission-critical safety and survival systems used across defence, aviation, space, search and rescue, and medical sectors.
The successful deployment of the flotation units during Artemis II highlights the often-overlooked engineering behind astronaut recovery and underscores the growing role of specialised defence technologies in enabling the next era of space exploration.
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