The launch of the first mission of the Artemis program has taken place. NASA has sent its unmanned Orion capsule to circle the Moon. Step by step, this is how the mission should unfold.
50 years after the last Apollo lunar mission, the United States is officially relaunching the conquest of the Earth’s natural satellite. The first mission of the Artémis program took off this Wednesday, November 16, 2022, shortly before 8 a.m. (Paris time). After months of waiting and difficulties, Artemis I finally flies to the Moon.
The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, carrying the Orion spacecraft, was launched. This is a test flight, without a human crew on board the capsule, which should last 6 weeks in total. The goal is to send the Orion capsule around the Moon and then back to Earth. This mission is a preamble to Artemis II, which this time will embark a crew.
Concretely, how will the Artemis I mission unfold? Here are the stages she will go through in 6 weeks.
Space Launch System Liftoff
Liftoff of the Space Launch System, which carries the Orion capsule, took place from Launch Complex 39 at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The rocket leaves more exactly from Launch Complex 39-Pad B, one of the launch pads of the space center.
Everything happened very quickly: in barely 2 and a half minutes, NASA’s rocket left Earth and gained momentum. For the next 6 minutes, the SLS continues to climb and accelerate.
Ejection of the Orion capsule to the Moon
Several thrusts from the rocket’s second stage then launch Orion to the Moon. All of these maneuvers should last about 20 minutes.
Orion’s Journey to the Moon
That’s it, the Orion capsule is then launched towards the Moon. The trip to the star should last several days, which leaves time to carry out numerous tests to verify that the new NASA systems are working correctly.
The capsule must travel a distance of approximately 386,000 kilometers before reaching lunar orbit.
Insertion into lunar orbit
The unmanned ship must then fit into a lunar orbit, retrograde (clockwise, relative to the Moon viewed from above) and oval in shape. The shape of this orbit is such that Orion, during his journey, can find himself at very varied distances from the lunar surface: the capsule will approach it at just 96 kilometers, or could be much further away. , 64,300 kilometers from the surface of the Moon. Note that a manned ship has never gone so far.
The journey back to Earth
This is an important step for Artemis I, because it will not only be a question of successfully sending humans to the Moon: it will above all be necessary to bring them back to Earth safe and sound.
When Orion completes its last lap of the Moon, its main engine will be on. The capsule will thus be able to leave the orbit of the star and begin the return trip to our planet.
The entry of the capsule into the atmosphere
Once close to Earth, the capsule will separate from the main power and propulsion system of its European service module. The entry into the atmosphere of Orion can then begin, at a speed of approximately 39,400 kilometers per hour. The heat shield will fully play its role here to protect the passenger compartment from extremely hot air (which also contributes to slowing down the capsule).
Then comes the step of deploying the parachutes. Thanks to them, Orion will be able to land without damage in the Pacific Ocean, in the field of vision of a US Navy boat responsible for recovering it. If everything went as planned, it will officially be the end of the Artemis I mission, and a first great success for NASA.