Images of Earth Sent by Nasa’s Moon Spacecraft

November 17, 2022 By Prelo Con

(Image Credit Google)

As it approaches a moon encounter as part of the historic Artemis I mission, NASA's unmanned Orion spacecraft has returned its first photographs of Earth. Several hours after launch, Earth could be seen gradually coming into view in a video broadcast from a camera mounted on the spacecraft: Since the final Apollo mission in 1972, no human-rated spacecraft has been able to take distant pictures of Earth. A NASA commentator stated that "the sights of our blue marble in the darkness of space are now captivating the imagination of a new generation, the Artemis generation." On Wednesday, November 16, early, the Orion was launched aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

New views of planet Earth from @NASA_Orion as #Artemis I journeys to the Moon. Orion is 9.5 hours into a 25.5-day test flight. pic.twitter.com/CBaA4ZOK4X
— NASA (@NASA) November 16, 2022

The SLS rocket is the most powerful to have ever launched into space, with 8.8 million pounds of thrust during launch. As NASA works to create a permanent moon base on the lunar surface, the mission, which will last 25 days and culminate with Orion splashing down off the coast of California, will test crucial technology for planned crewed Artemis missions. Ten CubeSats, or tiny satellites for scientific research and technology demonstration, will also be launched by Orion in the next hours. According to NASA, "each CubeSat has its own unique mission that has the potential to close knowledge gaps about the solar system or showcase technology that could contribute in the development of next missions to explore the moon and beyond." On Monday, November 21, the Orion is anticipated to fly past the moon, executing a near encounter to the lunar surface after a series of burns to keep it on schedule, as it moves toward a distant retrograde orbit, a highly stable orbit thousands of kilometers beyond our celestial friend. Jim Free, NASA's deputy associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, stated on Wednesday that Orion is finally headed to the moon after a long journey. Because of this successful launch, NASA and our partners will be able to travel farther than ever before in orbit for the benefit of humanity. On a unique NASA website, you can follow the Orion spacecraft's journey throughout its mission.

By Prelo Con

Following my passion by reviewing latest tech. Just love it.

Images of Earth Sent by Nasa’s Moon Spacecraft

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