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The Orion space capsule from the Artemis I mission passed the far side of the Moon on November 21. NASA’s “next exploration spacecraft passed 81 miles above the surface. And entered the Moon’s distant retrograde orbit.

Houston could not communicate with the capsule for half an hour on the far side of the moon. During that time, they could not confirm Orion’s engine firing. But communications were restored when it emerged from behind the Moon.

Artemis I mission

 NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) successfully launched Artemis I from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on November 16. 

It has been 50 years since the US last had a capsule has visiting the Moon.

NASA’s Artemis lunar-exploration program is the next-in-line after the 1972 Apollo Program. Its mission is to prepare first long-term presence on the lunar surface and lay the foundation for sending astronauts to Mars.

The program’s beta test is using the most powerful rocket ever built, also known as Artemis I. And it successfully carried an Orion spacecraft to the moon.

Artemis I is the first in a series of complex missions.  In particular the Orion’s systems will be tested. This includes its heat shield and safety mechanisms. NASA wants to assure a safe return and reentry before astronauts make the trip.

While in space the LunIR,  Moon-mapping satellite was launched off of the top of the Orion.

The LunIR will fly by the Moon and collect surface thermography with infrared imaging. And the info gathering will be used for planning future lunar missions.

The beta testing and evaluations are crucial. 

NASA’s next launch, Artemis II is planned to carry four astronauts around the moon in 2024. And hopefully the third launch in 2025 will have astronauts landing on the moon.

Record breaking flight

Jim Free, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate said, “This successful launch means NASA and our partners are on a path to explore farther in space than ever before for the benefit of humanity.”

The Orion capsule is setting a new record for traveling a distance of nearly 270,000 miles from Earth. The previous record of 250,000 miles was set in 1970 by Apollo 13.

On its way back to Earth Orion will again flyby the Moon. And the spacecraft will come within 60 miles of the lunar surface. The capsule will spend about a week in orbit above the celestial body.

NASA’s Artemis lunar-exploration program is the successor of the Apollo Program. And it is planned to pave the way to eventually send astronauts to Mars.

The Artemis I mission is scheduled for 25-days. And the spacecraft is expected to splashdown in the Pacific on December 11th.