[Reading Science] Artemis 1 Begins Return to Earth

NASA to Announce Orion Spacecraft Engine Ignition on the 1st Afternoon
Scheduled to Splash Down in the Pacific Ocean off California 10 Days Later

The Orion spacecraft of Artemis 1 ignited its engine on the afternoon of the 1st (Eastern Time, USA) to return to Earth. Photo by NASA

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The development of space launch vehicles and manned spacecraft to prepare for the return to the moon after more than 50 years has entered the final and successful stages. The Orion spacecraft that went to the moon has finally begun its journey back to Earth.

According to NASA on the 2nd, the Orion spacecraft ignited its engine for about 1 minute and 45 seconds at 4:54 PM (Eastern Time) the previous day, starting its journey to leave lunar orbit and return to Earth. After about 10 days of flight, the Orion spacecraft is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on the 11th.

The Orion spacecraft was launched on the 16th of last month as part of NASA's Artemis program, the first phase of the lunar exploration plan, aboard the super heavy-lift Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Designed to carry humans, the Orion spacecraft reached a lunar orbit 130 km above the moon three days later, stayed for about five days, then headed to a distant retrograde orbit (DRO) 64,000 km away from the moon before beginning its return flight to Earth on this day.

NASA placed a mannequin aboard the Orion spacecraft to conduct medical research necessary for manned flights. They also tested a navigation system equipped with an autopilot function displayed on a large screen, similar to a car's navigation system, applying it to the actual flight.

If the Artemis 1 launch is ultimately successful, NASA plans to launch Artemis 2 in 2024, carrying four astronauts on the same route for a manned flight. Subsequently, around 2025, Artemis 3 is planned to send two astronauts to land and explore the lunar surface. This is humanity's return to the moon project after about 53 years since Apollo 17 in 1972.

NASA plans to explore the permanently shadowed regions of the lunar south pole to confirm the presence of water, develop drilling methods, and then build a base. The 'Lunar Gateway,' a transfer station connecting the moon and Earth, is also being pursued through international cooperation.

Among the candidates training to be lunar landing astronauts at NASA is Johnny Kim, of Korean descent. South Korea signed the Artemis Agreement with the United States in May last year to cooperate on lunar base and Lunar Gateway construction. Specifically, the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute have conducted or are conducting joint work with NASA on lunar resource exploration.