Nasa’s Orion returns to Earth, completing moon orbit mission
- Nasa completes first mission of Artemis lunar programme, 50 years after Apollo’s final moon landing
- Successful test flight should clear the way for astronauts on Orion’s next lunar fly-by, targeted for 2024
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Nasa’s Orion spacecraft returns to Earth after moon orbit mission success
Nasa’s Orion spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico on Sunday, bringing a successful end to a 25-day test flight that sent the uncrewed vehicle around the moon and back to Earth.
The flight, named Artemis I, helps pave the way for Nasa’s programme to return humans to the surface of the moon later in the decade for the first time since 1972.
After spending more than three weeks in deep space, Orion began its descent through Earth’s atmosphere at 12.20pm ET (1.20am Hong Kong time), reaching scorching temperatures of about 2,760 degrees Celsius (5,000 Fahrenheit).
The spacecraft performed an unusual skip entry technique, bouncing off the atmosphere to slow its speed before resuming its descent. The manoeuvre is intended to lower G forces that future astronauts will have to endure.
The re-entry also tested the spacecraft’s heat shield, which needed to perform flawlessly to protect Orion’s crew cabin during its descent. The vehicle eventually deployed parachutes further slowing its fall for a smooth splashdown at 12.40pm.
“The latest chapter of Nasa’s journey to the moon comes to a close,” Rob Navias, a Nasa commentator, said during a live-stream of the return. “Orion back on Earth.”