NASA's Orion spaceship slingshots around Moon, heads for home | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
NASA's Orion spaceship slingshots around Moon, heads for home
NASA's Orion spaceship slingshots around Moon, heads for home
Agence France-Presse
Published Dec 06, 2022 06:28 AM PHT
One day in the solar system: Here are a few views captured – today – by @NASA spacecraft. 🛰📸🧵
This is the Moon and the distant crescent Earth as seen today by the @NASA_Orion spacecraft during the #Artemis I mission. https://t.co/vbuOpAPQ2Z pic.twitter.com/Ak046fMVmO
— NASA Solar System (@NASASolarSystem) December 5, 2022
One day in the solar system: Here are a few views captured – today – by @NASA spacecraft. 🛰📸🧵
— NASA Solar System (@NASASolarSystem) December 5, 2022
This is the Moon and the distant crescent Earth as seen today by the @NASA_Orion spacecraft during the #Artemis I mission. https://t.co/vbuOpAPQ2Z pic.twitter.com/Ak046fMVmO
WASHINGTON, United States - NASA's Orion spaceship made a close pass of the Moon and used a gravity assist to whip itself back towards Earth on Monday, marking the start of the return journey for the Artemis-1 mission.
WASHINGTON, United States - NASA's Orion spaceship made a close pass of the Moon and used a gravity assist to whip itself back towards Earth on Monday, marking the start of the return journey for the Artemis-1 mission.
At its nearest point, the uncrewed capsule flew less than 80 miles (130 kilometers) from the surface, testing maneuvers that will be used during later Artemis missions that return humans to the rocky celestial body.
At its nearest point, the uncrewed capsule flew less than 80 miles (130 kilometers) from the surface, testing maneuvers that will be used during later Artemis missions that return humans to the rocky celestial body.
Communication with the capsule was interrupted for 30 minutes when it was behind the far side of the Moon -- an area more cratered than the near side and first seen by humans during the Apollo era, although they didn't land there.
Communication with the capsule was interrupted for 30 minutes when it was behind the far side of the Moon -- an area more cratered than the near side and first seen by humans during the Apollo era, although they didn't land there.
The European Service Module, which powers the capsule, fired its main engine for over three minutes to put the gumdrop-shaped Orion on course for home.
The European Service Module, which powers the capsule, fired its main engine for over three minutes to put the gumdrop-shaped Orion on course for home.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was the last major maneuver of the mission, which began when NASA's mega Moon rocket SLS blasted off from Florida on November 16. From start to finish, the journey should last 25 and a half days.
It was the last major maneuver of the mission, which began when NASA's mega Moon rocket SLS blasted off from Florida on November 16. From start to finish, the journey should last 25 and a half days.
LIVE NOW: @NASA_Orion is harnessing the Moon’s gravity to accelerate back toward Earth.
The spacecraft is expected to fly about 79 miles above the lunar surface at 11:42am ET (1642 UTC). #Artemis https://t.co/OF9vmKVsQK
— NASA (@NASA) December 5, 2022
LIVE NOW: @NASA_Orion is harnessing the Moon’s gravity to accelerate back toward Earth.
— NASA (@NASA) December 5, 2022
The spacecraft is expected to fly about 79 miles above the lunar surface at 11:42am ET (1642 UTC). #Artemis https://t.co/OF9vmKVsQK
Orion will now make only slight course corrections until it splashes down in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego on Sunday, December 11 at 9:40 am local time (1740 GMT). It will then be recovered and hoisted aboard a US Navy ship.
Orion will now make only slight course corrections until it splashes down in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego on Sunday, December 11 at 9:40 am local time (1740 GMT). It will then be recovered and hoisted aboard a US Navy ship.
LIVE NOW: Following today's close flyby of the Moon, our experts are giving an update on the #Artemis I mission.
The @NASA_Orion spacecraft is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 11. https://t.co/rQU7N7iUyk
— NASA (@NASA) December 5, 2022
LIVE NOW: Following today's close flyby of the Moon, our experts are giving an update on the #Artemis I mission.
— NASA (@NASA) December 5, 2022
The @NASA_Orion spacecraft is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 11. https://t.co/rQU7N7iUyk
Earlier in the mission, Orion spent about six days in "distant retrograde orbit" around the Moon, meaning at high altitude and traveling opposite the direction the Moon revolves around Earth.
Earlier in the mission, Orion spent about six days in "distant retrograde orbit" around the Moon, meaning at high altitude and traveling opposite the direction the Moon revolves around Earth.
A week ago, Orion broke the distance record for a habitable capsule, venturing 280,000 miles (450,000 kilometers) from our planet.
A week ago, Orion broke the distance record for a habitable capsule, venturing 280,000 miles (450,000 kilometers) from our planet.
Re-entry into Earth's atmosphere will present a harsh test for the spacecraft's heatshield, which will need to withstand temperatures of around 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,800degrees Celsius) -– or about half the surface of the Sun.
Re-entry into Earth's atmosphere will present a harsh test for the spacecraft's heatshield, which will need to withstand temperatures of around 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,800degrees Celsius) -– or about half the surface of the Sun.
Under the Artemis program -- named for the sister of Apollo in Greek mythology -- the United States is seeking to build a lasting presence on the Moon in preparation for an onward voyage to Mars.
Under the Artemis program -- named for the sister of Apollo in Greek mythology -- the United States is seeking to build a lasting presence on the Moon in preparation for an onward voyage to Mars.
Artemis 2 will involve a crewed journey to the Moon, once again without landing.
Artemis 2 will involve a crewed journey to the Moon, once again without landing.
The first woman and next man are to land on the lunar south pole during Artemis 3, which is set for no sooner than 2025, though likely significantly later given timeline delays.
The first woman and next man are to land on the lunar south pole during Artemis 3, which is set for no sooner than 2025, though likely significantly later given timeline delays.
ia/bfm
© Agence France-Presse
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
