Moon missions beckon following launch of Artemis I

The 25-day Artemis mission will see NASA validate deep space exploration systems including the Orion spacecraft, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and ground systems at Kennedy Space Center.

The uncrewed Orion spacecraft is being taken into space onboard the SLS, which blasted off at 0147 EST earlier today (Nov 16, 2022). Over the course of the mission, Orion will travel 280,000 miles from Earth and 40,000 miles beyond the far side of the Moon.

At 0150 EST, the SLS solid rocket boosters successfully jettisoned, followed closely by the fairing and launch abort system of Orion’s service module, which has been supplied by the European Space Agency.

SLS’s core stage main engine cut-off was recorded as complete at 0156 EST, along with core stage separation from the interim cryogenic propulsion stage and Orion spacecraft. By 0241 EST Orion’s solar arrays had been deployed and were drawing power, followed by perigee raise manoeuvre.

A spokesperson at NASA noted ‘the interim cryogenic propulsion stage fired for just over 20 seconds to raise the lowest point of Orion’s Earth orbit in preparation for the critical trans-lunar injection burn that will send Orion to the Moon.’ 

During the mission, Orion’s service module will provide the propulsion systems and power the spacecraft on its journey from Earth orbit to the Moon. For future missions, the European Service Module will also provide electricity, water, oxygen and nitrogen for the astronauts on board.

NASA said that Orion will stay in space longer than any human spacecraft has without docking to a space station and will return to Earth at 25,000mph to splash down in the Pacific on December 11, 2022. During the descent, Earth’s atmosphere will slow Orion down to around 300mph, subjecting the spacecraft’s heat shields to temperatures of approximately 2,800^oC.