A lunar-speed return – Artemis I: the test that returned Orion to the Moon

On 11 December 2022 Orion entered the atmosphere at nearly 11 km/s. Its heat shield was tested in flight for the first time at lunar-return energy and protected the crew module from the heat.

After atmospheric entry, parachutes deployed and Orion splashed down in the Pacific off California. Artemis I achieved its main purpose: NASA gathered data for a safer crewed Artemis II.

The Orion spacecraft after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean (NASA). — Loď Orion po přistání v Tichém oceánu (NASA).

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