NASA's historic Artemis I mission is set to conclude today -- with the Orion capsule landing in Baja California
Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. The Artemis I mission — a 25½-day uncrewed test flight around the moon meant to pave the way for future astronaut missions — is coming to an end as
officials said Thursday that rain, wind and large waves had moved into that area, and it no longer complied with the space agency’s weather criteria. This final step will be among the most important and dangerous legs of the mission. “We’re not out of the woods yet. The next big test is the heat shield,”
’s primary contractor for the Orion spacecraft. “By dividing the heat and force of reentry into two events, skip entry also offers benefits like lessening the g-forces astronauts are subject to,” according to Lockheed, referring to the crushing forces humans experience during spaceflight. As it embarks on its final descent, the capsule will slow down drastically, shedding thousands of miles per hour in speed until its parachutes deploy.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NASA Prepares for Orion Spacecraft Splashdown to Conclude Artemis I MissionThe agency will attempt to return part of the Orion spacecraft to Earth on Sunday, a maneuver that will expose the vehicle to heat approaching 5,000 degrees after a nearly monthlong journey.
Read more »
NASA Artemis I: Orion Will Attempt the First Skip Entry for a Human SpacecraftAs NASA’s Artemis I mission to the Moon draws to a close, the Orion spacecraft is on its way back to Earth, with the planned splashdown on Sunday, December 11, fast approaching. When Orion is nearing its return to Earth, it will attempt the first skip entry for a human spacecraft. This maneuver is d
Read more »
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 »
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 Orion capsule set for splashdown after NASA mission near moonThe Artemis I Orion capsule is set to splash down on Sunday after a 25-day trip that reached within 60 miles of the moon, completing the first step in an ambitious plan to establish a long-term presence there and later send a crewed shuttle to Mars.
Read more »
Watch NASA's Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft return to Earth on SundayOrion is scheduled to splash down off the coast of Baja California around 12:40 p.m. EST on Sunday (Dec. 11).
Read more »