The 10 greatest images from NASA’s Artemis 1 moon mission

December 11, 2022

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The primary mission of NASA’s bold Artemis program produced some stunning pictures.

From the second the 322-foot-tall (98 meters) Space Launch System (SLS) rocket was rolled out to the pad at Launch Complicated 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Area Middle, the Artemis 1 mission has wowed the world with hanging pictures.

From the bright-as-day nighttime launch of SLS to the close-up photographs of the moon’s crater-pocked floor taken by the Orion spacecraft, the images of Artemis 1 have made this moon mission really come to life. Be a part of us as we glance again via the mission with 10 of the best pictures from NASA’s Artemis 1 mission.

Associated: Splashdown! NASA’s Artemis 1 Orion capsule lands in Pacific to end epic moon mission
Dwell updates: NASA’s Artemis 1 moon mission

1. SLS waits on the launch pad

Some 9 days earlier than liftoff, NASA’s Area Launch System rocket stood within the orange glow of a Florida sundown at Launch Complicated 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Area Middle in Florida.

NASA’s Area Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft on the launch pad. (Picture credit score: NASA/Joel Kowsky)

2. SLS lifts off

Seconds after ignition, SLS begins its journey to the moon on Nov. 16, 2022 because it lit up the evening sky with its stable rocket boosters. The ignition of the Area Launch System rocket was so highly effective that it damaged its mobile launch platform.

NASA's Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis I flight test, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA’s Area Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis 1 flight take a look at, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, from Launch Complicated 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Area Middle in Florida. (Picture credit score: NASA/Joel Kowsky)

3. SLS joins the moon within the evening sky

Roughly a minute after liftoff, SLS’ fiery rocket boosters mild up the huge smoke plume left in its wake because the moon might be seen within the distance. At launch, SLS was the most powerful rocket ever to take to the skies efficiently, producing 8.8 million kilos (3.9 million kg) of thrust.

NASA's SLS rocket heads towards deep space as the moon shines beside its smoke trail in the night sky.

NASA’s SLS rocket heads in the direction of deep space because the moon shines beside its smoke path within the evening sky. (Picture credit score: NASA/Keegan Barber)

4. Orion’s first image of Earth

On Nov. 16, 2022, the primary day of its mission, the Orion spacecraft captured this view of Earth as seen from deep space. The picture was taken by a digital camera on the tip of one in all Orion’s solar arrays whereas the spacecraft was 57,000 miles (91,732 kilometers) from Earth on the best way to the moon.

The Orion spacecraft's first image of Earth.

The Orion spacecraft’s first picture of Earth. (Picture credit score: NASA)

5. Orion breaks distance file

On the thirteenth day of its mission, Orion reached its maximum distance from Earth at 268,563 miles (432,210 kilometers) away. Orion traveled farther from our planet than another spacecraft constructed for people, breaking the file set by Apollo 13.

The Earth and moon as seen from the Orion spacecraft.

The Earth and moon as seen from the Orion spacecraft at its most distance from Earth. (Picture credit score: NASA)

6. Lunar close-up on Flight Day 20

On Dec. 5, the twentieth day of NASA’s Artemis 1 mission, Orion captured this close-up of the lunar floor. NASA plans to return people to the moon’s floor with Artemis 3 no sooner than 2025, inserting them close to the lunar south pole.

A close-up of the moon as seen from the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis 1 mission.

A detailed-up of the moon as seen from the Orion spacecraft through the Artemis 1 mission. (Picture credit score: NASA)

7. Orion seems to be again on the moon

On Day 21 of its mission, Dec. 5, Orion regarded again on the moon following a powered flyby to set the spacecraft on a journey again in the direction of residence.

All through the mission, Orion used its optical navigation digital camera to take a look at Earth and the moon at completely different phases and distances. These pictures will assist NASA analyze the effectiveness of Orion’s optical navigation system below completely different lighting situations in an effort to inform the system’s use in future missions.

On flight day 21 of NASA's Artemis I mission, Orion's optical navigation camera looked back at the moon.

On Day 21 of NASA’s Artemis 1 mission, Orion’s optical navigation digital camera regarded again on the moon. (Picture credit score: NASA)

8. Snoopy floats inside Orion

NASA’s zero gravity indicator, an opulent Snoopy clad in an orange spacesuit, might be seen floating across the within the Orion capsule as the inside of the craft flashes with completely different coloured lights.

Commander Moonikin Campos, a model geared up with sensors to gather information in regards to the radiation setting in deep space, might be seen within the capsule. Campos will inform future Artemis missions on how you can finest shield human crews from this radiation.

At heart is the Callisto payload, a know-how demonstrator constructed by Lockheed Martin in collaboration with Amazon to check voice-activated digital assistant know-how aboard Orion.

Learn extra: Orion’s ‘Easter eggs’ revealed: NASA flew secret messages to the moon on Artemis 1

Snoopy the dog, clad in an orange space suit, can be seen in this image sequence floating weightlessly inside the Orion space capsule.

Snoopy the canine, clad in an orange space swimsuit, might be seen on this picture sequence floating weightlessly contained in the Orion space capsule. (Picture credit score: NASA)

9. Orion will get one final view of Earth

Minutes earlier than the Orion spacecraft reentered Earth’s ambiance at a blazing pace of 25,000 mph (40,000 kph), it captured one final view of our planet as seen from deep space.

Orion’s warmth protect skilled temperatures of 5,000 levels Fahrenheit (2,800 levels Celsius) because it reentered the ambiance, roughly half the temperature of the floor of the sun.

Learn extra: Here’s how NASA’s Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft will splash down to end its moon mission in 8 not-so-easy steps

The Orion spacecraft catches a view of Earth as it begins its reentry into our planet's atmosphere.

The Orion spacecraft catches a view of Earth because it begins its reentry into our planet’s ambiance. (Picture credit score: NASA TV)

10. Orion splashes down

At 12:40 p.m. EST (1740 GMT) on Dec. 11, Orion splashed down within the Pacific Ocean some 5.8 miles (9.3 kilometers) away from its restoration ship, the U.S. Navy’s USS Portland. NASA described Orion’s touchdown as a “textbook entry.”

NASA's Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft splashes down in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of Baja California on Dec. 11, 2022.

NASA’s Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft splashes down within the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of Baja California on Dec. 11, 2022. (Picture credit score: NASA TV)

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