Orion's Return: A High-Stakes Descent to Earth

NASA's Artemis program head, Dr. Lori Glaze, has detailed the planned return procedures for the Orion spacecraft, scheduled for Friday evening. The re-entry involves a complex maneuver to manage extreme speed and heat, culminating in a splashdown and crew recovery by the USS Murtha.

The Re-entry Sequence

The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to return to Earth on Friday evening. According to Dr. Glaze, the return sequence involves the spacecraft contacting Earth's upper atmosphere at an altitude of approximately 75 miles.

The re-entry requires the spacecraft to maintain a specific angle to ensure its heat shield properly manages temperatures for the crew inside.

Navigating Extreme Conditions

During this phase, the spacecraft's exterior is expected to experience temperatures of approximately 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit while traveling at speeds around 25,000 miles per hour.

To manage speed and heat, the spacecraft will perform a maneuver described by Dr. Glaze as a "carefully choreographed" skip. This involves an initial contact with the atmosphere, a skip, and then a final descent.

Following this maneuver, the spacecraft will decelerate to a speed of about 20 miles per hour prior to splashdown in the ocean.

Recovery and the Road Ahead

Dr. Lori Glaze stated that she will feel relief once all four crew members are safely aboard the recovery ship, the USS Murtha, and are receiving medical care from professionals.

Regarding future missions, Dr. Glaze noted that the planned Artemis III mission, scheduled for 2028, involves a crewed landing near the moon's south pole.