The Orion spacecraft of the Artemis lunar mission successfully returned to Earth

US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reportedthat the Orion spacecraft of the Artemis 1 lunar mission successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday 11 December.

During reentry, it withstood temperatures about half that of the Sun's surface, around 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius).

The ship was met by rescuers and technicians, after which it will be lifted onto the ship, delivered to the shore and transported to the Kennedy Space Center. There, Orion will be examined for damage and the hatch of the capsule will be opened.

The Artemis 1 mission lasted more than 25 days, during which Orion flew around the moon twice, approachingb to its surface at a distance of about 130 km.

The launch of the ship was implemented November 16 using the Space Launch System (SLS) super-heavy rocket in Florida. On board were dummies and a variety of sensors to assess the effects of radiation and solar flares throughout the journey.

According to NASA's plan, the next flight of the new Artemis (Artemis 2) on the Orion spacecraft will take place as early as 2024, and this time there will be a crew of astronauts on board. And already in 2025, it is planned to launch the manned mission Artemis 3 with the landing of people to the moon.

NASA's main goal is to return American astronauts to the lunar surface 53 years after the last mission, as well as the subsequent construction of a near-lunar station and the preparation of conditions for the long-term stay of people on the moon.