NASA's Artemis II crew is set to return to Earth on Friday after a historic journey to the far side of the moon, according to multiple reports. The astronauts will test a new reentry technique following unexpected damage to the heat shield during the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022.
Key Takeaways
NASA's Artemis II crew is scheduled to return to Earth on Friday after a successful mission that took them to the far side of the moon. The astronauts will test a new reentry technique following issues with the heat shield during the uncrewed Artemis I mission. They reached a record-breaking distance from Earth and conducted scientific observations during their lunar flyby.
The Artemis II crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, reached a record-breaking distance from Earth of approximately 252,756 miles. This surpasses the previous record set by the Apollo 13 crew 56 years ago.
During their six-hour lunar flyby, the crew conducted scientific observations and surveys of the lunar surface from about 4,000 miles above. The mission is seen as an important step in unlocking mysteries about the solar system's formation, with scientists viewing the moon as a 'witness plate' to these events.
NASA has made adjustments to the reentry process after discovering issues with the heat shield during Artemis I. The new approach involves skipping the initial dip into the atmosphere to prevent pressure buildup and potential damage. Scientists will collect detailed data on the heat shield's performance as the capsule streaks through the sky, turning it into a bright fireball.
The crew is scheduled to speak with reporters in their first press conference from space on Wednesday before splashing down off the coast of San Diego around 8 p.m. ET (0000 GMT Saturday). The mission aims to pave the way for future lunar landings and establish a long-term U.S. presence on the moon, ultimately building towards potential missions to Mars.
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