Artemis II astronauts are set to return to Earth today. Here's what to expect
NPR • • science
Key Points:
- NASA's Artemis II astronauts are scheduled to return to Earth with Orion capsule reentry planned for 7:53 p.m. ET, aiming for a Pacific Ocean splashdown near San Diego about 13 minutes later.
- The spacecraft must endure extreme conditions during reentry, including speeds of 25,000 mph and temperatures over 5,000°F, with critical maneuvers like service module separation and parachute deployment to ensure crew safety.
- The mission's success hinges on precise atmospheric entry angle and the performance of the heat shield, which was modified after Artemis I revealed issues, requiring a steeper, faster reentry to reduce heat exposure time.
- Artemis II has achieved several milestones, including sending humans farther from Earth than Apollo 13 and testing manual spacecraft controls and life support systems, while also returning humans to lunar orbit for the first time in over 50 years.
- The crew encountered issues with the first lunar-bound toilet system, prompting reliance on manual urinals; post-mission, engineers will analyze the Orion capsule's performance and plumbing to prepare for Artemis III next year.
