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Artemis II Soars: Earth View and Lunar Journey
3 Apr
Summary
- Artemis II astronauts viewed a crescent Earth shortly after launch.
- A real-time tracker app and website monitor the mission's progress.
- Crew will practice lunar procedures and conduct safety drills.
NASA's Artemis II mission has successfully launched from Florida, with its four astronauts already viewing Earth as a full crescent phase shortly after departure. The Orion spacecraft is currently over 70,000 miles from Earth, traveling at 4,880 mph.
To keep the public informed, NASA offers a real-time orbit website and a mobile app. These tools, part of the "Artemis Real-time Orbit Website" (AROW), provide the spacecraft's location, speed, and distance from Earth and the moon. Data is collected by sensors on Orion and updated continuously from Mission Control in Houston.
Today, April 3, the astronauts are scheduled to practice procedures for their close lunar flyby, conduct exercises using the Flywheel device, and perform safety demonstrations, including CPR. Mission Specialist Christina Koch will also test the spacecraft's emergency communications system. The 10-day mission aims to send the crew to the far side of the moon and return them safely.
