USS Murtha: About the Ship That Rescued the Artemis II Astronauts |
USS Murtha: About the Ship That Rescued the Artemis II Astronauts
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The amphibious transport dock ship was an ideal choice for rescuing the Artemis II crew from the Pacific Ocean—particularly because of its ability to “float” the space capsule on board.
On Friday evening, the Artemis II space mission—in which four astronauts orbited the moon for the first time since the 1970s—concluded successfully after the capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. The astronauts spent little time in the water; within minutes of landing, they were picked up by the USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26), an amphibious transport dock ship.
What Is an Amphibious Transport Dock Ship?
An Amphibious Transport Dock, or Landing Platform Dock (LPD), is a ship that can act as a host for amphibious operations.
The US Navy has operated LPD vessels since the early 1960s; it now has 29 LPDs in service, along with 11 amphibious assault ships (LHDs), which have a similar configuration.
LPDs have an unusual design: they have a flight deck for helicopters and smaller aircraft, but they also house an enormous transport bay in their center, which can be flooded with water if........