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Nasa's Artemis spacecraft set to reach the Moon Nasa's Artemis spacecraft arrives at the Moon
(about 3 hours later)
This selfie of the Orion spacecraft was snapped as was travelling towards the Moon Orion sent back images as it closed in on the Moon
Nasa's Artemis spacecraft is set to arrive at the Moon. Nasa's Artemis spacecraft has arrived at the Moon.
The Orion capsule will sweep 130km (80 miles) above the lunar surface, before entering into a larger orbit. The Orion capsule swept 130km (80 miles) above the lunar surface, and it will now begin to enter a larger orbit.
The vehicle will be out of contact during this manoeuvre, which will happen at 12:44 GMT, as it takes place on the far side of the Moon. The vehicle was out of contact for 34 minutes during this manoeuvre, which began at 12:44 GMT, as it took place on the far side of the Moon.
The Artemis team said they would be "waiting intently" for the signal, and so far the mission had "exceeded expectations" since last week's launch. As the signal returned, the spacecraft sent back an image of the Earth. Nasa says so far the mission has "exceeded expectations" since last week's launch.
"It's been a really exciting few days for both the team and the spacecraft as we learn how the system operates in the deep space environment," said Nasa's Jim Geffre at a media briefing. As the spacecraft emerged from the far side of the Moon it snapped an image of the "pale blue dot"
"It's a good reminder that this is the first time in 50 years that a human exploration spacecraft has left low Earth orbit and been sent to the Moon." Nasa flight director Zebulon Scoville said: "This is one of those days that you've been thinking about and dreaming about for a long, long time.
"This morning we just saw the Earth set behind the Moon as we take the next human rated vehicle around the moon, preparing to bring humans back there within a few years. This is a game changer."
Artemis mission: How humans are returning to the MoonArtemis mission: How humans are returning to the Moon
Nasa's Artemis Moon rocket lifts off EarthNasa's Artemis Moon rocket lifts off Earth
Nasa's Orion spacecraft: A guideNasa's Orion spacecraft: A guide
A photographic mission to show us the MoonA photographic mission to show us the Moon
WATCH AGAIN: Nasa's Artemis I rocket blasts offWATCH AGAIN: Nasa's Artemis I rocket blasts off
WATCH AGAIN: Nasa's Artemis I rocket blasts offWATCH AGAIN: Nasa's Artemis I rocket blasts off
The spacecraft will zoom over the landing sites of Apollo 11, 12 and 14 as it makes the close approach. It will be out of contact for 34 minutes, but will then start to send back data and footage from the fly-by. The spacecraft zoomed over the landing sites of Apollo 11, 12 and 14 as it made the close approach.
The Artemis mission began on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with the launch of the most powerful rocket Nasa has ever built.The Artemis mission began on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with the launch of the most powerful rocket Nasa has ever built.
It placed Orion on a path towards the Moon. The capsule has already sent back several selfies during its journey.It placed Orion on a path towards the Moon. The capsule has already sent back several selfies during its journey.
Manikins are strapped in for the ride - and see if you can spot another passenger - Snoopy - inside the capsuleManikins are strapped in for the ride - and see if you can spot another passenger - Snoopy - inside the capsule
Because this is a test flight, no astronauts are on board this time - instead three manikins, covered in thousands of sensors, are making the journey.Because this is a test flight, no astronauts are on board this time - instead three manikins, covered in thousands of sensors, are making the journey.
"Those sensors are getting an idea of whether the environment is going to be OK for people," explained Nasa astronaut Zena Cardman."Those sensors are getting an idea of whether the environment is going to be OK for people," explained Nasa astronaut Zena Cardman.
"So there are things like radiation sensors, motion sensors, accelerometers - things that we as human payloads are going to care a lot about.""So there are things like radiation sensors, motion sensors, accelerometers - things that we as human payloads are going to care a lot about."
And this is important because if this flight goes well astronauts will join the next ride, first of all going into orbit around the Moon, before a third Artemis mission then takes the first woman and first person of colour down to the lunar surface.And this is important because if this flight goes well astronauts will join the next ride, first of all going into orbit around the Moon, before a third Artemis mission then takes the first woman and first person of colour down to the lunar surface.
A VR guide to the Artemis missionA VR guide to the Artemis mission
A VR guide to the Artemis missionA VR guide to the Artemis mission
The European Space Agency is also carefully monitoring the spacecraft. It's built Orion's service module, which provides the power and propulsion for the voyage.The European Space Agency is also carefully monitoring the spacecraft. It's built Orion's service module, which provides the power and propulsion for the voyage.
Esa also has a passenger on board: Shaun the Sheep, the British stop-motion animated character. Shaun is strapped in for the journey. Nasa's mascot is Snoopy, who is floating free in the cockpit of the crew capsule.Esa also has a passenger on board: Shaun the Sheep, the British stop-motion animated character. Shaun is strapped in for the journey. Nasa's mascot is Snoopy, who is floating free in the cockpit of the crew capsule.
The spacecraft will be passing over the landing sites of several of the Apollo missionsThe spacecraft will be passing over the landing sites of several of the Apollo missions
After the close flyby, Orion will swing much further out as it begins to loop around the Moon.After the close flyby, Orion will swing much further out as it begins to loop around the Moon.
On 26 November, it is set to break Apollo 13's distance record when it reaches 400,171km (248,655 miles) from Earth.On 26 November, it is set to break Apollo 13's distance record when it reaches 400,171km (248,655 miles) from Earth.
Two days later, it will have travelled more than 430,000km (270,000 miles) from our planet - the furthest a spacecraft built for humans has ever flown.Two days later, it will have travelled more than 430,000km (270,000 miles) from our planet - the furthest a spacecraft built for humans has ever flown.
After this, the capsule will begin its journey home, back towards the Moon and then on to Earth with a scheduled splash down in the Pacific Ocean on 11 December.After this, the capsule will begin its journey home, back towards the Moon and then on to Earth with a scheduled splash down in the Pacific Ocean on 11 December.
Follow Rebecca on Twitter.Follow Rebecca on Twitter.