Home / Science / Humans Return to Moon Orbit After 52 Years
Humans Return to Moon Orbit After 52 Years
3 Apr
Summary
- Artemis 2 spacecraft successfully performed translunar injection burn.
- First human mission to lunar vicinity since Apollo 17 in 1972.
- Crew includes first non-American, first woman, and first person of color to moon.
The Artemis 2 mission has successfully navigated into orbit around the Moon, signifying a monumental return to lunar exploration for the first time since 1972.
The Orion spacecraft's crucial translunar injection burn, completed on April 2, precisely placed the crew on a trajectory for their lunar flyby. This maneuver followed successful system tests in Earth orbit, including a proximity demonstration simulating future docking procedures.
With this achievement, humans have once again ventured beyond Earth orbit, embarking on a journey that will see them orbit the Moon before returning for a splashdown on April 10. The mission carries significant milestones, including Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen becoming the first non-American to travel to the Moon, alongside crewmates Christina Koch and Victor Glover, who are making history as the first woman and first person of color, respectively, to embark on such a voyage.
