NASA successfully launched Artemis 1 early yesterday morning. They say this is our way back to the moon. NASA says the launch is the beginning of “a new chapter in human lunar exploration.”
At approximately 1:47 am, the Space Launch System announced the SLS successfully took off from Launch Complex 39B in Florida, beginning a complex, weeks-long process.
“The primary goal of Artemis I is to thoroughly test the integrated systems before crewed missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orion’s heat shield, and recovering the crew module after reentry, descent, and splashdown,” NASA said in a statement.
Within minutes, the rocket reached several key milestones — which were widely applauded by the NASA crew and supporters.
Many people witnessed the rocket shoot across the night sky and eventually disappear from sight. Several parts broke off of the main rocket to allow it to travel in deep space.
About two minutes after launch, NASA’s Rachel Kraft said the rocket successfully completed its core main engine cutoff and its core stage separation, where “the core stage has separated from the interim cryogenic propulsion stage and Orion spacecraft.”
The rocket will look to reach other milestones amid the historic flight, including the service module fairing jettison, deployment of Orion’s solar arrays and other maneuvers.
The Artemis 1 mission intends to fully test and demonstrate “Orion’s systems in a spaceflight environment and ensure a safe re-entry, descent, splashdown, and recovery prior to the first flight with crew on Artemis II.”
The full mission should last 25 days and 11 hours. The rocket will have traveled over 1.3 million miles in that time. The rocket, along with three “test dummies” should arrive back on earth on December 11, 2022.
The @NASA_SLS rocket has reached main engine cutoff, or MECO, in the mission timeline. The RS-25 engines have powered off and the core stage has separated. @NASA_Orion is now in orbit. pic.twitter.com/OlnxhFAlET
— NASA (@NASA) November 16, 2022
Source Fox News
