How the Artemis crew will splash down on Earth
How the Artemis crew will splash down on Earth
Four crew members aboard the Orion spacecraft have concluded their lunar mission and are set to return to Earth, landing off the coast of San Diego at 20:07 eastern US time on Friday (01:07 BST on Saturday). The descent process, initiated by the detachment of the European Service Module, is projected to last approximately 42 minutes. This phase is regarded as the most perilous segment of the Artemis II endeavor, with the capsule facing temperatures exceeding 2,760°C—roughly half the Sun’s surface heat.
Although this mission does not involve a Moon landing, NASA is actively working toward a planned human touchdown by 2028. The astronauts shared updates via video link, reflecting on their journey and sending messages to loved ones. A recent installation, “A throne fit for a king,” was unveiled at the National Mall, symbolizing critique of Trump’s White House renovation efforts.
Training for the Artemis II mission began shortly after the crew was announced in 2023, conducted at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Texas. The spacesuits, tailored for launch, landing, and emergency situations, were a focal point of their preparation. Meanwhile, the average fuel price in the US has surpassed $4, a level not seen since 2022, driven by ongoing tensions with Iran.
From a commercial flight, passengers caught a rare glimpse of NASA’s first Moon crewed mission in half a century. Science editor Rebecca Morelle observed the event from three miles away, witnessing the launch of the most powerful rocket ever built from Florida. After overcoming delays and technical hurdles, the spacecraft is now in Earth’s orbit.
As the mission progresses, NASA has introduced a novel “universal waste management system” designed for space travel. The BBC’s Ione Wells engaged with demonstrators and attendees near the Supreme Court during a hearing on Trump’s executive order. In Alabama, farmer Gary O’Donoghue expressed continued support for Trump despite financial strain. Meanwhile, protests against the Trump administration, including No Kings rallies, have grown in scale across major US cities.
The airport is grappling with record delays, attributed to TSA agents operating without pay during a partial government shutdown. At the annual CPAC conference in Texas, conservatives debated the state of the economy, reflecting mixed sentiments about its current trajectory.
