Orion News & Analysis
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Artemis II astronauts return home after 694,392 miles journey
NASA's Artemis II mission culminated with the Orion spacecraft splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026, after a 10-day journey covering 694,392 miles (1,117,515 km). This mission marked the first human spaceflight to the moon's vicinity in over 50 years, including a lunar flyby about 252,000 miles away. The successful splashdown demonstrated the Orion spacecraft's ability to withstand re-entry stresses, reaching temperatures of approximately 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius). This accomplishment is a crucial step toward planned lunar landings starting in 2028, potentially influencing future NASA missions and funding.
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Artemis II Breaks Distance Record, Captures Moon Eclipse Photo
The Artemis II mission set a new record for the longest distance traveled by humans from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 mark of 248,655 miles. During this mission, the crew captured a photo of the moon eclipsing the sun. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman commented on the significance of this achievement in an interview, stating it highlights the importance of human space exploration. Artemis II is NASA's first mission to fly by the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, paving the way for future missions, including Artemis III, planned for 2027.
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