NASA has released first views of earth planet through press conference and its twitter as well. At a distance about 50,000 miles, Orion on its way to the moon has captured the “Blue Marble” image, on 16 November, 2022. Orion will share its first glimpses of the moon in upcoming days.
Picture credit: NASA
Blue Marble is a first earth image which represents the beautiful living atmosphere of earth. Apollo 17 spacecraft was the first to captured “Blue Marble” image, at a distance about 18,000 miles, on 7 December, 1972.
Orion spacecraft is a test flight of Artemis 1 ongoing mission. Artemis 1 is the first integrated flight test of Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket. The mission, was firstly named as “Exploration Mission-1”, later they changed the name based on its program”Artemis”.
Orion capsule was inserted Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage. Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage is the second stage of Space Launch System. Space Launch System core stage main engine was attached to interim cryogenic propulsion stage and Orion spacecraft. Four RS-25 Engine has been used in Space Launch System and propelled by a pair of five segment boosters to faster the rocket speed. Just in 2 minutes, the solid rocket boosters burnt through their propellant and separated. After jettisoning the boosters, service module panels and launch abort system. The core engines get separated from the spacecraft left Orion attached to the interim cryogenic propulsion stage that propelled it towards Moon.
Orion’s solar arrays had completed their deployment. The arrays were drawing power and early data suggests good performance. The next milestone was a perigee raise maneuver targeted for approximately 2:41 a.m. EST to raise Orion’s orbit in preparation for the critical trans-lunar injection that sent Orion to the Moon.
Picture credit: NASA
This flight is a crucial test that aims to put astronauts back on the moon after decades of loitering in low Earth orbit. Artemis will be the first mission to build long human presence on moon.
