Artemis II astronauts prepare to return to Earth
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- The Artemis II astronauts are preparing for their return to Earth, reflecting on their historic lunar journey as they approach home, less than 150,000 miles away.
- The crew experienced a surreal period of communication blackout behind the moon and set a record as the most distant humans from Earth at 252,756 miles before witnessing a total solar eclipse.
- NASA and the Defense Department are collaborating for the first lunar crew reentry since 1972, with the Orion capsule expected to reenter the atmosphere at nearly 24,000 mph and splash down in the Pacific.
- The mission team is closely monitoring the capsule’s heat shield, which previously suffered damage during an uncrewed test, and has adjusted reentry procedures to mitigate heat exposure without replacing the shield.
- Future Artemis missions aim to dock lunar landers in Earth orbit and eventually land astronauts near the moon’s south pole, advancing NASA’s goal of establishing a sustainable lunar base.
