Artemis Orion capsule flies by moon en route to record-breaking lunar orbit

NASA's Orion capsule reached the moon on Monday, whipping around the far side and buzzing the lunar surface on its way to a record-breaking orbit with test dummies sitting in for astronauts.

It's the first time an American capsule has visited the moon since NASA's Apollo program 50 years ago, and represents a huge milestone in the $4.1-billion US test flight that began last Wednesday.

Video of the looming moon and our pale blue planet more than 370,000 kilometres in the distance left workers "giddy" at Houston's Johnson Space Center, home to Mission Control, according to flight director Judd Frieling. Even the flight controllers themselves were "absolutely astounded."

"Just smiles across the board," said Orion program manager Howard Hu.

The close approach of 130 kilometres occurred as the crew capsule and its three wired-up dummies were on the far side of the moon. Because of a half-hour communication blackout, flight controllers in Houston did not know if the critical engine firing went well until the capsule emerged from behind the moon.

The capsule's cameras sent back a picture of the Earth — a tiny blue orb surrounded by blackness.

"Our pale blue dot and its eight billion human inhabitants now coming into view," said Mission Control commentator Sandra Jones.

WATCH | The flyby, as seen from NASA headquarters: 

NASA's Orion spacecraft completes flyby of the moon

2 years ago

Duration 2:14

NASA communications officer Sandra Jones describes what was seen as the Orion spacecraft flew within 130 kilometres of the moon.

The capsule accelerated well beyond 8,000 km/h as it regained radio contact, NASA said. Less than an hour later, Orion soared above Tranquility Base, where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on July 20, 1969. There were no photos of the site because the pass was in darkness, but managers promised to try for pictures on the return flyby in two weeks.

"This is one of those days that you've been thinking about and talking about for a long, long time," flight director Zeb Scoville said.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson:

Crewed flight around moon could occur in 2024

Earlier in the morning, the moon loomed ever larger in the video beamed back, as the capsule closed the final few thousand miles since blasting off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center atop the most powerful rocket ever built by NASA.

Orion needed to slingshot around the moon to pick up enough speed to enter the sweeping, lopsided lunar orbit. Another firing will place the capsule in that orbit Friday.

This coming weekend, Orion will shatter NASA's distance record for a spacecraft designed for astronauts — nearly 400,000 kilometres from Earth, set by Apollo 13 in 1970. And it will keep going, reaching a maximum distance from Earth next Monday at nearly 433,000 kilometres.

The capsule will spend close to a week in lunar orbit, before heading home. A Pacific splashdown is planned for Dec. 11.

WATCH | Canadian astronaut expected on crewed Artemis mission:

Canada's role in planned trips to the moon

2 years ago

Duration 6:14

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen describes Canada's key roles in new missions to the moon, from the 'amazing technology' to 'niche' expertise in the evolving delivery of food and health care.

Orion has no lunar lander; a touchdown won't come until NASA astronauts attempt a lunar landing in 2025 with SpaceX's Starship. Before then, astronauts will strap into Orion for a ride around the moon as early as 2024.

Mission manager Mike Sarafin was delighted with the progress of the mission, giving it a "cautiously optimistic A-plus" so far.

The Space Launch System rocket, the most powerful ever built by NASA, performed exceedingly well in its debut, Sarafin told reporters. He said teams are dealing with two issues that require workarounds — one involving the navigational star trackers, the other the power system.

The 98-metre rocket caused more damage than expected, however, at the Kennedy Space Center launch pad. The force from the four million kilograms of liftoff thrust was so great that it tore off the blast doors of the elevator, leaving it unusable.

Sarafin said the pad damage will be repaired in plenty of time before the next launch.

WATCH | High hopes for Artemis, despite delays and budget overruns:

NASA successfully launches Artemis I moon rocket

2 years ago

Duration 2:00

NASA's Artemis I mission blasted off to the moon from Cape Canaveral, Fla. It's an uncrewed test mission but if successful, a Canadian astronaut will be on board for the next flight.