NASA's Orion Capsule Phones Home After Critical Silence

NASA has re-established contact with the uncrewed Orion spacecraft after a tense, but expected, 34-minute communications blackout. The loss of signal occurred as the capsule re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on Sunday, completing its 25-day test flight around the Moon. This blackout is a normal part of re-entry. It happens when superheated plasma surrounds the spacecraft, blocking radio signals. The successful restoration of contact means Orion survived the most dangerous phase of its return. The capsule endured temperatures near 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius) while slowing from 25,000 miles per hour (40,000 km/h). The Artemis I mission is a critical test for NASA's program to return astronauts to the lunar surface. While empty for this flight, Orion carried mannequins equipped with sensors to measure radiation and stress. Engineers will study this data to ensure future crews are safe. Orion splashed down as planned in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California. Recovery teams are now securing the capsule. Its safe return marks a major step toward the next mission, Artemis II, which will carry a human crew around the Moon.