VIDEO Watch live: Orion's first flyby of the Moon in NASA's Artemis programme

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In full: Orion's first flyby of the Moon in NASA's Artemis programme On November 21, 2022, NASA's Artemis programme achieved a significant milestone with the first flyby of the Moon by the Orion spacecraft. This event marked a historic moment in human space exploration as Orion traveled approximately 81 miles above the lunar surface, leveraging the Moon's gravitational force to swing around it—an essential maneuver for its upcoming missions. The Orion spacecraft, an uncrewed vehicle, was launched atop the Space Launch System from Kennedy Space Center just a few days earlier. During its flyby, it provided live telemetry and updates for viewers following along from Earth, showcasing a live view of the Moon captured via a camera mounted on one of Orion's solar array wings. The spacecraft demonstrated remarkable precision in its trajectory corrections, critical for entering the distant retrograde orbit that was part of this mission's objectives.

Key Highlights from the Flyby:​

1. Successful Outbound Powered Flyby Burn: The outbound powered flyby (OPF) burn occurred as planned, crucially adjusting Orion's trajectory for a stable orbit around the Moon. The engine responsible was the orbital maneuvering system (OMS), a heritage engine from the Space Shuttle era.
2. Telemetry and Communication: Viewers were engaged throughout the live coverage, receiving updates on Orion's velocity, distance from the Moon, and anticipated maneuvers. During a critical phase of the flyby, communication was temporarily lost as Orion passed behind the Moon, resuming only once it emerged on the other side—a common occurrence for missions venturing beyond the reach of Earth.
3. Historical Context: This mission marked a pivotal return to lunar exploration for NASA, following in the footsteps of the Apollo missions but with advanced technology and a focus on sustainable presence on the Moon, including plans for human habitation in future Artemis missions.
4. Future Plans: Orion's journey doesn't end with the flyby; it will remain in a distant retrograde orbit for approximately six days before preparing for a return powered flyby to set its course back to Earth, culminating in a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on December 11, 2022. The Artemis I mission serves as a crucial test for future crewed flights, with Artemis II scheduled to carry astronauts in subsequent missions towards lunar exploration. As viewers of the live coverage could witness, NASA continues to push the boundaries of human presence in space, marking a new era of exploration beyond our home planet. Engage with the Community: What did you think of this historic flyby? Are you excited about the Artemis missions and the prospect of humans returning to the Moon? Share your thoughts and any related experiences below!