Orion spacecraft returns to Earth from lunar orbit
- December 2, 2022
- 0
The Orion spacecraft, which NASA launched into lunar orbit as part of the Artemis 1 mission in mid-November, is already on its way to Earth. As reported by
The Orion spacecraft, which NASA launched into lunar orbit as part of the Artemis 1 mission in mid-November, is already on its way to Earth.
As reported by Ukrinform, this was reported by Space.com.
Orion’s return to the planet began at almost midnight on the night of Friday, December 2, Kyiv time.
If all goes according to plan, it should be expected to land in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of the US state of California on December 11th.
It was noted that NASA and the US Navy have already started preparations for the rescue operation of the space capsule, which will bring the end of the Artemis 1 mission.
As reported by Ukrinform, the Orion spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral spaceport on 16 November at 01:47 local time. It reached Earth orbit shortly afterward, and 87 minutes after launch, Orion maneuvered to enter lunar orbit.
On Monday, November 21, Orion moved as close as possible to the Moon at a distance of 130 kilometers to accelerate its return journey to Earth by gravitational maneuver. This fairly close approach was caused by the spacecraft and three test dummies being on the far side of the Moon.
The mission is designed to be a flight test of the Space Launch System rocket, the Orion spacecraft and associated ground control systems prior to the Artemis 2 and 3 missions scheduled for 2024 and 2025, respectively.
The mission’s ultimate goal is to return man to the moon.
Source: Ukrinform
I’m Maurice Knox, a professional news writer with a focus on science. I work for Div Bracket. My articles cover everything from the latest scientific breakthroughs to advances in technology and medicine. I have a passion for understanding the world around us and helping people stay informed about important developments in science and beyond.
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