Science and Exploration

High Resolution Image: Orion Approaches The Moon For Return Powered Flyby

By Keith Cowing
Press Release
NASA
December 6, 2022
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High Resolution Image: Orion Approaches The Moon For Return Powered Flyby
High Resolution Image: Orion Approaches The Moon For Return Powered Flyby
NASA

A portion of the far side of the Moon looms large just beyond the Orion spacecraft in this image taken on the 20th day of the Artemis I mission by a camera on the tip of one of Orion’s solar arrays.

The return powered flyby burn committed Orion to a return to Earth trajectory ahead of a splashdown off the coast of California on Dec. 11. At its closest point, Orion flew within 80 miles of the lunar surface.

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SpaceRef co-founder, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA, Away Teams, Journalist, Space & Astrobiology, Lapsed climber.