NASA’s Orion spacecraft flew about 435 thousand kilometers from Earth in its distant orbit of the Moon. The spacecraft, which has now started its return journey, will soon return to Earth. But before landing on Earth, it will once again approach the Moon on Monday, December 5.
Orion spacecraft begins its return journey
The Orion spacecraft’s return journey will be broadcast live as it approaches the Moon. Orion has been traveling around the moon for about a week in a distant orbit. Having made a very close pass to the Moon in the past days, Orion will pass very close to the Moon on its return journey.
Orion will fire its engines to get to a position where it can take advantage of the Moon’s gravity and accelerate towards Earth. In this process, we have a very high chance of seeing impressive images from the Moon and Earth.
The live broadcast of the flight is scheduled to begin at 5 PM on Monday, December 5th. The spacecraft is expected to ignite its engines at 19.43 to pass the Moon and move towards Earth. This time will also be the closest the Orion spacecraft has come to the Moon. Orion will be only 127 kilometers from the Moon during this period.
Orion, which will ignite its engines after this convergence, will continue its journey to Earth. About 6 days after approaching the Moon, we will see the Orion spacecraft on Earth. We expect the entry of the spacecraft, which is expected to land on the shores of San Diego on Sunday, December 11, to be broadcast live on NASA TV.
With the return of the Orion spacecraft to Earth, the first phase of NASA’s Moon mission will be completed. With the successful completion of the first mission, the doors of the crewed Artemis II mission will also be opened. NASA plans to take the first female and black astronaut to the Moon at the end of its Artemis missions.
After a long time, humanity is taking important steps to go to the Moon again. So what do you think about NASA’s Moon missions? You can share your views with us in the comments section.
23758
