NASA's Orion space capsule splashed down safely in the Pacific on Sunday, completing the Artemis 1 mission – a more than 25-day journey around the Moon with an eye to returning humans there in just a few years.
After racing through the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 25,000 miles per hour , the un-crewed capsule floated down to the sea with the help of three large red and orange parachutes, as seen on NASA TV.During the trip around Earth's orbiting satellite and back, Orion logged well over a million miles and went farther from Earth than any previous habitable spacecraft.
The main goal of this mission was to test Orion's heat shield – for the day when it is humans and not test mannequins riding inside.
"We'll see how the heat soaks back into the crew module and how that affects the temperature inside," Jim Geffre, NASA's Orion vehicle integration manager, said last week. This includes information on the condition of the vessel after its flight, data from monitors that measure acceleration and vibration, and the performance of a special vest put on a mannequin in the capsule to test how to protect people from radiation while flying through space.mission, already in advanced stages of planning.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NASA Artemis I – Flight Day 24: Orion Spacecraft Heads HomeOn Flight Day 24 of the Artemis I mission, NASA teams in Mission Control Houston conducted spacecraft system checks ahead of Orion’s planned splashdown on December 11. Meanwhile, the Exploration Ground Systems recovery team made its way toward the landing area off Mexico's Baja Coast near Guadalupe
Read more »
Here’s what NASA’s Orion spacecraft saw on its 26-day journey circling the moon.Photos: This is what NASA’s Orion spacecraft saw during its 26-day journey circling the moon.
Read more »
NASA Artemis I – Flight Day 25: Orion Spacecraft in Home Stretch of JourneyAs the end of NASA’s Artemis I mission draws near, the Orion spacecraft is on its last full day in space. Splashdown is targeted for 11:39 a.m. CST (12:39 p.m. EST) on Sunday, December 11, off the Baja Coast near Guadalupe Island. Engineers conducted the final Artemis I in-space developmental fli
Read more »
Artemis I: NASA's Orion spacecraft to complete historic moon mission with Pacific splashdown | Watch liveThe Artemis 1 test flight ends Sunday when Orion splashes down in the Pacific Ocean. NASA's spacecraft designed to carry humans back to the moon is in the final stages of a 25.5 moon-orbiting mission.
Read more »
NASA’s Orion Spacecraft Lands After Journey to Moon in Key Test for Artemis MissionNASA’s Orion spacecraft hurtled through the atmosphere and landed in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, concluding a nearly monthlong test mission that sent it around the moon
Read more »
NASA's Orion spacecraft splashes down after journey to moon | Digital TrendsNASA's Orion spacecraft has splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, marking the end of the Artemis I mission around the moon.
Read more »