Artemis II pilot talks about what it was really like to fly and land in Orion
Ars Technica • • science
Key Points:
- The Artemis II crew, including Orion pilot Victor Glover, spoke with the media six days after their successful mission around the Moon, highlighting the spacecraft's performance and mission experiences.
- Glover praised Orion's traditional hand controller over touchscreen controls, noting the real spacecraft handled better than simulations with more precise and responsive controls.
- He emphasized the importance of Artemis II's test piloting in validating systems for future missions like Artemis III and IV, especially for complex rendezvous and docking operations with lunar landers.
- Glover described the intense reentry experience, noting unexpected sensations such as free fall between parachute deployments, but expressed confidence in the heat shield and overall system safety.
- Reflecting on the mission's success, Glover stressed the significance of continuing the Artemis program and framing its story to maintain momentum toward establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.
