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Artemis I

Completed

Uncrewed test flight, Distant Retrograde Orbit

Artemis I was the uncrewed maiden voyage of NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft. Over 25 days the mission validated every system Artemis II would carry a human crew through, sent Orion farther from Earth than any human-rated spacecraft had flown before, and proved the AVCOAT heat shield at lunar-return velocity.

Followed by over 1.1 million space enthusiasts worldwide in recent months.

Mission facts

Launch
Wed, 16 Nov 2022 06:47:44 UTC
Splashdown
Sun, 11 Dec 2022 17:40:00 UTC
Duration
25 days, 11 h
Max distance from Earth
432,210 km
Crew
Uncrewed
Launch vehicle
SLS Block 1
Spacecraft
Orion
Launch site
LC-39B, Kennedy Space Center

Artemis I live trajectory tracker

Artemis Live Map

COMPLETED

Mission overview

The flight lifted off at 06:47 UTC on 16 November 2022 from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center. SLS placed the European-built service module and Orion crew capsule on a Trans-Lunar Injection trajectory toward the Moon, where a powered flyby six days later inserted Orion into a Distant Retrograde Orbit at roughly 70,000 km altitude above the lunar surface.

Inside the DRO, Orion spent six days completing a half-orbit of the Moon. On 28 November 2022 the spacecraft reached its maximum distance from Earth of about 432,210 km. The trajectory was selected because it is energetically efficient, requires few correction burns, and exposes the spacecraft to the radiation and thermal environment a human crew would later endure.

On 1 December a Distant Retrograde Orbit Departure burn set Orion on the homeward leg. A return powered flyby of the Moon on 5 December sent the capsule back into a high-speed Earth approach. Splashdown came in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California on 11 December 2022 at 17:40 UTC, ending a 25-day, 10-hour, 53-minute mission.

Although uncrewed, Artemis I carried three suited mannequins fitted with radiation sensors (Commander Moonikin Campos plus Helga and Zohar), ten CubeSats deployed after TLI, and a payload of biological experiments. Post-flight analysis of the heat shield revealed unexpected char loss that delayed Artemis II until the mass-loss mechanism was understood and trajectory tweaked.

Primary objectives

  • Validate SLS rocket performance from launch through Trans-Lunar Injection.
  • Verify Orion crew module and European service module life-support and propulsion equipment in deep space.
  • Demonstrate Distant Retrograde Orbit insertion and exit burns at lunar distance.
  • Prove the AVCOAT heat shield at a lunar-return entry velocity of about 11 km/s.
  • Recover the capsule cleanly in the Pacific and recover the crew interface, parachutes, and avionics for post-flight inspection.

Mission phases

  1. Launch & AscentDay 0.0 to 0.1
  2. Trans-Lunar InjectionDay 0.1 to 0.1
  3. Outbound CoastDay 0.1 to 5.3
  4. Lunar FlybyDay 5.3 to 9.6
  5. Distant Retrograde OrbitDay 9.6 to 15.6
  6. DRO ExitDay 15.6 to 19.4
  7. Return CoastDay 19.4 to 25.4
  8. Re-entry & SplashdownFrom day 25.4

Mission itinerary

Forty-five major events spanning launch, Trans-Lunar Injection, the lunar flyby, six days inside the Distant Retrograde Orbit, return coast, and Pacific splashdown.

  1. Day -0.00SLS LaunchLaunch & Ascent

    Space Launch System lifts off from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center. The twin solid rocket boosters and four RS-25 engines produce 8.8 million pounds of thrust, sending the uncrewed Orion spacecraft toward orbit.

  2. Day 0.00SRB SeparationLaunch & Ascent

    The twin solid rocket boosters separate from the core stage approximately 2 minutes after liftoff at an altitude of roughly 48 km (30 miles), having exhausted their fuel.

  3. Day 0.01Core Stage Separation & ICPS IgnitionLaunch & Ascent

    The SLS core stage separates and the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) ignites for the first time, placing Orion into a preliminary low Earth parking orbit at approximately 185 km (115 miles) altitude.

  4. Day 0.01Fairing Panel JettisonLaunch & Ascent

    The three fairing panels protecting the Orion spacecraft and European Service Module during ascent are jettisoned, exposing the service module's solar arrays.

  5. Day 0.02Solar Array DeploymentLaunch & Ascent

    Orion's four solar array wings unfold and lock into position, beginning power generation. The arrays provide approximately 11 kilowatts of electrical power to the spacecraft.

  6. Day 0.04Perigee Raise ManeuverLaunch & Ascent

    A series of small thruster firings raise Orion's perigee altitude in preparation for the Trans-Lunar Injection burn, ensuring the proper trajectory geometry for the Moon-bound push.

  7. Day 0.06Trans-Lunar Injection BurnTrans-Lunar Injection

    The ICPS upper stage fires for approximately 18 minutes, accelerating Orion from orbital velocity to roughly 10.3 km/s (23,000 mph) and sending it on a trajectory toward the Moon. This is the critical burn that leaves Earth orbit.

  8. Day 0.08ICPS SeparationTrans-Lunar Injection

    Orion separates from the spent Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage. The ICPS performs a disposal maneuver to enter a heliocentric orbit, while Orion continues toward the Moon under its own power.

  9. Day 0.08Begin Outbound CoastOutbound Coast

    Orion begins its 5-day coast toward the Moon, travelling through cislunar space. Earth's gravity gradually decelerates the spacecraft as it climbs away from the planet.

  10. Day 0.10CubeSat DeploymentsOutbound Coast

    Ten small CubeSat secondary payloads are deployed from the Orion Stage Adapter, including Lunar IceCube, NEA Scout, BioSentinel, and others designed to perform technology demonstrations and science investigations.

  11. Day 0.50Outbound Trajectory Correction 1 (TCM-1)Outbound Coast

    First trajectory correction maneuver using the European Service Module's Orbital Maneuvering System engine. Fine-tunes Orion's path toward the planned lunar flyby point.

  12. Day 1.00Star Tracker CalibrationOutbound Coast

    The optical navigation cameras and star trackers are calibrated by imaging known star fields. This validates the autonomous navigation system that will guide future crewed missions.

  13. Day 1.50Outbound Trajectory Correction 2 (TCM-2)Outbound Coast

    Second planned trajectory correction burn to refine the approach to the Moon. Small adjustments keep Orion on the precise path needed for the powered lunar flyby.

  14. Day 2.00Communications System TestOutbound Coast

    Full checkout of the Deep Space Network communications link at increasing distance from Earth. Tests data relay capabilities including HD video downlink through NASA's tracking stations.

  15. Day 3.00Halfway to the MoonOutbound Coast

    Orion reaches the approximate halfway point between Earth and Moon, roughly 190,000 km (118,000 miles) from Earth. The spacecraft continues to decelerate under Earth's gravitational pull.

  16. Day 3.50Thermal Control System TestOutbound Coast

    Orion performs a series of attitude maneuvers to test the thermal control system, rotating to expose different surfaces to direct sunlight and deep space cold.

  17. Day 4.00Outbound Trajectory Correction 3 (TCM-3)Outbound Coast

    Third trajectory correction maneuver for final fine-tuning before the lunar flyby. Ensures Orion arrives at the correct altitude and angle for the powered flyby burn.

  18. Day 4.50Lunar Approach PreparationsOutbound Coast

    Mission controllers verify spacecraft systems ahead of the critical outbound powered flyby burn. Navigation cameras image the Moon to refine the approach trajectory.

  19. Day 5.25Outbound Powered Flyby BurnLunar Flyby

    The European Service Module's main engine fires for approximately 2.5 minutes as Orion passes roughly 130 km (80 miles) above the lunar surface. This critical burn slows Orion and bends its trajectory to enter Distant Retrograde Orbit.

  20. Day 5.26Closest Lunar ApproachLunar Flyby

    Orion reaches its closest point to the Moon at approximately 130 km (80 miles) above the lunar far side. The spacecraft briefly loses communication with Earth as it passes behind the Moon.

  21. Day 5.40Lunar Far Side ImagingLunar Flyby

    Navigation cameras capture images of the lunar far side and the receding Moon as Orion continues outward beyond the Moon toward its distant retrograde orbit insertion point.

  22. Day 6.00Post-Flyby Trajectory AssessmentLunar Flyby

    Ground controllers assess the trajectory following the outbound powered flyby burn and plan any needed correction maneuvers before the Distant Retrograde Orbit insertion.

  23. Day 9.63Distant Retrograde Orbit InsertionDistant Retrograde Orbit

    A 1.5-minute engine burn inserts Orion into Distant Retrograde Orbit, a highly stable orbit approximately 70,000 km (43,000 miles) beyond the Moon. In DRO, Orion orbits Earth but is gravitationally influenced by both Earth and Moon.

  24. Day 10.00DRO Systems CheckoutDistant Retrograde Orbit

    Comprehensive spacecraft systems evaluation while in the stable DRO environment. Power generation, thermal management, propulsion, and communications systems are tested at maximum distance from Earth.

  25. Day 11.00Maximum Distance from EarthDistant Retrograde Orbit

    Orion reaches its maximum distance of 432,210 km (268,563 miles) from Earth, farther than any spacecraft designed for humans has ever travelled. This exceeds the Apollo 13 record of 400,171 km.

  26. Day 12.00DRO MidpointDistant Retrograde Orbit

    Orion reaches the approximate midpoint of its time in Distant Retrograde Orbit. The spacecraft maintains its orientation for optimal solar power generation and thermal management.

  27. Day 13.00Extended Navigation TestDistant Retrograde Orbit

    Deep-space navigation system testing at maximum distance from Earth. Optical navigation cameras image Earth and the Moon against the star field to test autonomous positioning.

  28. Day 14.00DRO Exit PreparationsDistant Retrograde Orbit

    Mission controllers prepare for the Distant Retrograde Orbit departure burn. Final trajectory calculations are uploaded to Orion's flight computers.

  29. Day 15.63DRO Departure BurnDRO Exit

    Engine burn to exit Distant Retrograde Orbit and begin the return to the Moon for a second lunar flyby. This burn commits Orion to the return journey to Earth.

  30. Day 16.00Return Trajectory Correction 1DRO Exit

    First trajectory correction maneuver after DRO departure to fine-tune the approach for the return powered flyby burn at the Moon.

  31. Day 18.00Return Trajectory AssessmentDRO Exit

    Comprehensive trajectory assessment ahead of the return powered flyby burn. Ground controllers verify Orion is on the correct approach path.

  32. Day 19.41Return Powered Flyby BurnReturn Coast

    The service module engine fires as Orion passes the Moon a second time, redirecting the spacecraft onto a trajectory aimed at Earth. This is the final major propulsive maneuver of the mission.

  33. Day 19.43Second Closest Lunar ApproachReturn Coast

    Orion makes its second and final close pass of the Moon before heading home. The spacecraft again briefly passes behind the Moon, losing communications temporarily.

  34. Day 20.00Return Coast BeginsReturn Coast

    Orion begins its multi-day coast back to Earth. Earth's gravity now accelerates the spacecraft, steadily increasing its speed for re-entry.

  35. Day 21.00Return Trajectory Correction 2Return Coast

    Mid-course trajectory correction to ensure the precise re-entry corridor is targeted. Even small deviations at this distance can mean large position errors at Earth.

  36. Day 23.00Return Trajectory Correction 3Return Coast

    Final trajectory correction maneuver to lock in the re-entry corridor. This ensures Orion hits the atmosphere at the correct angle (approximately -1.4 degrees flight path angle).

  37. Day 24.00Re-entry PreparationsReturn Coast

    Final spacecraft configuration for re-entry. All systems are checked and verified. The crew module is powered up fully and the service module prepares for separation.

  38. Day 25.40Service Module SeparationRe-entry & Splashdown

    The European Service Module separates from the crew module approximately 30 minutes before atmospheric interface. The service module will burn up on re-entry; only the crew module has a heat shield.

  39. Day 25.43Crew Module ReorientationRe-entry & Splashdown

    The crew module rotates to position its heat shield forward, presenting the blunt end to the direction of travel in preparation for atmospheric entry at approximately 11 km/s (25,000 mph).

  40. Day 25.45Atmospheric Interface (Entry)Re-entry & Splashdown

    Orion reaches 120 km (75 miles) altitude, the official boundary of atmospheric entry. The heat shield begins experiencing temperatures up to 2,760 degrees C (5,000 degrees F) as the spacecraft decelerates from 11 km/s.

  41. Day 25.45Skip Re-entry ManeuverRe-entry & Splashdown

    Orion performs a skip re-entry, dipping into the upper atmosphere to shed speed, then briefly skipping back up before plunging in for final descent. This spreads heating over two passes and allows precision targeting of the landing zone.

  42. Day 25.45SplashdownRe-entry & Splashdown

    Orion splashes down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California. The 25-day, 1.4 million mile mission concludes successfully, validating Orion and SLS for future crewed flights.

  43. Day 25.46Drogue Parachute DeploymentRe-entry & Splashdown

    Two drogue parachutes deploy at approximately 7.6 km (25,000 feet) altitude, stabilising the crew module and beginning to slow it from roughly 480 km/h (300 mph).

  44. Day 25.46Main Parachute DeploymentRe-entry & Splashdown

    Three main parachutes deploy at approximately 3 km (10,000 feet) altitude, slowing the crew module to roughly 32 km/h (20 mph) for splashdown. Each parachute is 35 metres (116 feet) in diameter.

  45. Day 25.50USS Portland Recovery OperationsRe-entry & Splashdown

    USS Portland and Navy divers approach the Orion capsule floating in the Pacific. The well deck flooding procedure begins to bring Orion aboard the ship for transport back to port.

Artemis I questions

What was Artemis I?
Artemis I was the uncrewed maiden flight of NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft, launched on 16 November 2022 from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center. The 25-day mission sent Orion on a Distant Retrograde Orbit around the Moon to validate the SLS rocket, the European-built service module, the heat shield, and re-entry at lunar-return velocity. It was the opening flight of the Artemis programme.
How far did Artemis I travel?
Artemis I reached a maximum distance of approximately 432,210 km from Earth on 28 November 2022, the farthest any human-rated spacecraft has ever flown. That is roughly 65,000 km farther than the previous record held by Apollo 13. The Orion capsule spent six days inside a Distant Retrograde Orbit before beginning the return trajectory.
Was anyone aboard Artemis I?
No. Artemis I was an uncrewed test flight. Three suited mannequins fitted with radiation sensors flew in the crew seats: Commander Moonikin Campos in the commander’s seat, plus Helga and Zohar in the two passenger seats. They were used to characterise the radiation environment and the loads a human crew would experience during launch and re-entry.
When did Artemis I splash down?
The Orion capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California on 11 December 2022 at 17:40 UTC, after a 25-day, 10-hour, 53-minute mission. Recovery teams aboard USS Portland retrieved the capsule and returned it to shore for post-flight analysis.
What did Artemis I test that mattered for Artemis II?
Artemis I validated the SLS rocket performance, the Orion service module propulsion and life-support equipment, the AVCOAT heat shield at lunar-return velocity of about 11 km/s, deep-space navigation, the Deep Space Network communications link, and the recovery procedure. Every system that Artemis II would carry a crew through had to be flown uncrewed first; Artemis I cleared all of them.
Can I replay the Artemis I mission?
Yes. The ISSINFO Artemis tracker stores a pre-rendered timeline of every Artemis I trajectory point from NASA JPL Horizons. Open the live Artemis tracker, select Artemis I from the mission menu, then use the timeline scrubber to jump to any point in the mission and play back at up to sixty times real-time speed.

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