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Artemis II: Splashdown, No Moon Germ Fears
11 Apr
Summary
- Artemis II crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.
- Apollo missions required 21-day post-mission quarantine for fear of moon germs.
- Artemis II capsule aimed to break Apollo 10's re-entry speed record.
The Artemis II crew successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, signaling their return to Earth after their mission. This homecoming contrasts with earlier lunar missions from the Apollo program, which inspired Artemis.
During the Apollo era (1961-1972), astronauts on missions Apollo 11, 12, and 14 underwent a 21-day isolation period. This was a precautionary measure against potential "moon germs" after landing on the lunar surface. The Mobile Quarantine Facility, a converted Airstream trailer, was used for this purpose.
However, with increased knowledge, NASA determined the moon to be sterile. Consequently, the Artemis II crew, nicknamed Integrity for their Orion capsule, will not face such post-mission quarantine. They are scheduled for a press conference soon after recovery and a medical evaluation.
Prior to liftoff, the Artemis II crew did adhere to a 14-day Health Stabilization Program, a standard pre-flight quarantine designed to prevent illness among astronauts. This program was first used by Apollo 14.
Furthermore, the Orion capsule was projected to exceed the Apollo 10 record for re-entry speed of 24,791 mph, the fastest any human has traveled. NASA estimated Artemis II's re-entry speed to be between 23,000 and 25,000 mph.
