A few days ago, Orion's cameras took photographs of the Moon as the spacecraft passed in the distance
What is known
The pictures were taken on November 21 with the help of an airbornespacecraft navigation camera. In a few hours, Orion will perform another important maneuver that will allow it to enter a high lunar orbit.
The ship flies around the moon as part of the Artemis I mission,which will allow assessing its readiness (and Space Launch System rockets) for future manned flights. It will remain in high lunar orbit until December 1st.
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By photographing a NASA satellitetested the spacecraft's optical navigation system in various lighting conditions. It will be useful in future manned missions. On December 11, Orion will return to Earth. If the mission is deemed a success, the space agency will launch the ship around the moon in 2024, but with a crew, and the landing is scheduled for 2025. Note that next month will mark the 50th anniversary of the last landing on the moon, which took place as part of the Apollo program.