NASA revealed New Artemis II 8-day Moon Journey to Surpass Apollo 13!

With each passing second, we are getting a little closer to the moon. It's truly happening, even though many skeptics once believed this level of progress was nearly impossible. This is a miraculous 10-day journey. It's not just a milestone for the astronauts, the mission experts, or the global scientific community. It's a moment of profound significance for anyone who has ever looked up at the night sky and wondered when we would return. The question on everyone's mind is a simple one. How amazing does this journey actually feel, especially when viewed through the eyes of the four individuals currently inside that capsule? Let's find out in today's episode of Great SpaceX. We witnessed some truly breathtaking moments on the afternoon of the 1st of April. Between the spectacular liftoff and the highly choreographed rocket separation, the start of this mission was nothing short of cinematic. Inside the Orion capsule, astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen officially began the most important journey of their lives. While mission control in Houston continued to fine-tune the progress in real-time, the trajectory for the mission was clearly defined, setting the stage for a 10-day odyssey that would push the limits of human spaceflight. After the Space Launch System completed its primary mission of punching through the atmosphere, the interim cryogenic propulsion stage took over. The ICPS is essentially the shove that gets Orion where it needs to go. First, it activated its engines to raise Orion's orbit to a safer altitude of about 100 miles, which is approximately 160 kilometers above Earth. Once that was done, it performed another burn to push Orion into a higher, much more stable orbit. Then came a delicate moment of separation as Orion detached from the ICPS. However, they did not just drift apart immediately. Under manual control, the crew conducted a proximity operations test. This was a simulated docking maneuver to prove that Orion can successfully link up with future lunar landers. Think of it as a dress rehearsal for the day we actually put boots back on the moon. Following this successful test, the ICPS performed its final disposal burn to head off on its own path, leaving the spotlight entirely on Orion and its four inhabitants. The first 23 hours of day one were spent relatively close to home, allowing the crew to admire the curvature of the Earth while they got down to business. This was a window for crucial system checkouts. The astronauts began the process of moving in, which involved checking the water purification systems, vital for both hydration and rehydrating their space food, testing the toilets, and ensuring the life support systems were officially scrubbing carbon dioxide from the cabin air. They also finally got to peel off those bulky orange flight suits used for launch and change into something more comfortable, lightweight. Space inside Orion is, to put it mildly, quite cozy. The crew had to spend a significant amount of time rearranging the interior, essentially transforming a high-tech cockpit into a multifunctional living and working space that would serve as their home for the next week and a half. As many followed in the news, Orion faced a minor plumbing emergency involving the toilet shortly after launch. From the perspective of the astronauts, this was understandably a bit worrying. I mean, no one wants to attend a road trip with a broken bathroom. However, these are some of the most highly trained individuals on the planet. They adapted, fixed the issue, and were able to move forward with a bit more peace of mind. After an incredibly busy first day, the crew finally managed to get a few hours of rest. They sleep in individual sleeping bags, which, in a zero-gravity environment, can be tethered almost anywhere – on the walls, the ceiling, or the floor. While sleeping while floating might sound like a strange experience, astronauts often describe it as one of the most relaxing parts of life in space. No pressure points, no pillows required. Day 2 kicked off with an activity most people on Earth try to avoid – a mandatory morning workout. In zero-gravity, your muscles and bones don't have to work against gravity, so they can weaken surprisingly fast. The crew began testing Orion's flywheel exercise equipment, which provides the resistance needed to keep them in peak physical condition. These exercises serve a dual purpose – they keep the crew fit while simultaneously testing how Orion's life support system handles the increased heat and carbon dioxide produced during physical exertion. One of the most pivotal moments of Day 2 was the Translunar Injection, or TLI. By the time this is being recorded, that maneuver is complete. The main engine on the European Service Module provided about 27 kilonewtons – roughly 6,000 pounds – of thrust. This was the big push that increased Orion's speed enough to break free from Earth's orbit and head directly for the moon. Once this milestone is behind them, the pace of the mission will settle into a steady cruise. Once the TLI burn is finished, Orion will enter a lunar free return trajectory. This is a beautiful bit of orbital mechanics where, even if the engines were to fail completely, the moon's gravity would naturally swing the spacecraft back toward Earth. It's the ultimate cosmic safety net. However, cruise mode will not mean the crew is just sitting around. This will be the time for them to acclimate to deep space and connect with home. Using the Deep Space Network, NASA's giant array of antennas on Earth, the astronauts will maintain nearly continuous communication. They'll have what is essentially deep space Wi-Fi, allowing them to send videos, participate in public events, and talk to their families. We expect to hear Jeremy Hansen's voice signals coming through loud and clear. Health care will remain a top priority throughout the flight. Each astronaut will have regular private consultations with flight doctors back on Earth. Orion is equipped with a comprehensive medical kit, ranging from basic first aid to stethoscopes and electrocardiographs. The crew is trained to use all of it, ensuring that even hundreds of thousands of miles away, they are never truly without a doctor's care. By day three, the mission will move into a phase of precision. The crew will perform the first orbital correction burn to ensure Orion stays perfectly on course. Jeremy Hansen will be in charge of this particular adjustment, which is scheduled for shortly after lunch. The rest of the day will be filled with science experiments and system checks. Interestingly, the crew will even practice CPR in zero gravity. Performing chest compressions when you and the patient are both floating is a unique challenge that requires very specific bracing techniques. On day four, Orion will undergo further fine-tuning. A second engine burn will be performed to sharpen their flight accuracy. This will also be a big day for lunar observation prep. Each astronaut will spend time studying the specific craters and lunar features they will be photographing later in the week. Because their targets depend on the exact lighting conditions at the time of the flyby, they'll need to be meticulous in their study. They'll also spend about 20 minutes just photographing stars and celestial bodies, a nice mental break from the rigorous technical schedule. By day five, Orion will reach a significant psychological and physical milestone, entering the moon's sphere of influence. At this point, the moon's gravitational pull will officially become stronger than the Earth's. Most of this day will be dedicated to testing their specialized spacesuits. These suits are designed to keep the astronauts alive for up to six days in the event of a cabin decompression. The crew will practice donning them quickly, adjusting the internal pressure, and even try to eat while suited up. By the end of the day, the final orbital adjustments will be made. Orion will then be in the perfect position for its dramatic flypast. The stage will be set, the crew will be ready, and the moon will be waiting. What part of this journey do you find most fascinating? Is it the technical precision of the TLI burn, or the simple reality of four people trying to fix a toilet while floating in a vacuum? In any case, that covers the transition days. Next comes day six of the mission, the point where the astronauts will face their most challenging and awe-inspiring experience yet. This will be the moment Orion makes its closest approach to the moon while simultaneously reaching the furthest point from Earth in its entire journey. Depending on the specific orbital mechanics, this distance may even surpass any crewed flight since the Apollo era, effectively setting a new high watermark for human deep space travel. During this flyby, the crew will maintain an altitude of approximately 6,400 to 9,600 kilometers from the lunar surface. From their vantage point, the moon will appear roughly the size of a basketball held at arm's length. The crew will spend the majority of their time observing and documenting the terrain. Because the light will change constantly based on the sun's angle, the landscape will shift from bright, washed-out plains to dramatic vistas defined by long shadows that highlight craters and deep trenches. To capture these moments, the crew will utilize two Nikon D5 cameras, equipped with wide-angle and telephoto lenses. These workhorses are tested for radiation resistance and are capable of handling the extreme light variations of space. Additionally, NASA will have deployed an advanced Nikon Z9 as part of an experiment to evaluate new imaging technology in deep space, data that will directly influence the Artemis III landing mission. One of the most profound moments will occur when Orion passes behind the moon, resulting in a total communication blackout with Earth for up to 50 minutes. During this time, the four astronauts will be completely isolated on the far side of another celestial body. Despite the silence, the crew will continue to record data and store imagery to be transmitted once the signal is restored. As they eventually leave the moon's sphere of influence, the focus will shift back to Earth. Scientists will be eager for immediate feedback while the observations are still fresh. These initial assessments regarding the lunar landscape and the spacecraft's performance in deep space will be invaluable for the future of the program. What do you think it'll be like to be 50 minutes away from any human contact? Sounds like a dream for me. Following the monumental flyby, the crew will perform an engine burn to officially set their sights on home. The return trip will largely be dedicated to recovery and stabilization after the intensity of the lunar encounter. But the work won't stop there. The astronauts will conduct critical radiation safety drills using onboard materials to simulate emergency solar storm shelters, a vital skill for future deep space survival. They'll also run manual control tests to ensure they can pilot Orion flexibly if the automation ever needs to step aside. By day nine, the final full day in orbit, the focus will shift entirely to the homecoming. The crew will meticulously review re-entry procedures and perform a final orbital correction. They'll also begin wearing specialized compression suits to help their bodies readjust to the looming pull of gravity. On day 10, the hero's welcome will finally be in sight. After a final alignment burn, the crew will secure the cockpit and don their flight suits for the mission's most violent phase. The service module will detach, exposing the heat shield as Orion slams into the atmosphere. Friction will send external temperatures soaring to 1,650 degrees Celsius, but the shield is designed to hold firm. The parachute sequence will then execute in perfect stages, slowing the capsule to a gentle 27 kilometers per hour before it splashes down in the Pacific. Waiting NASA and U.S. Navy recovery teams will be ready to move in and bring the four pioneers home. Artemis 2 will be more than just a flight, it'll be a bridge to a permanent human presence on the moon. These 10 days will prove that the path is open once again. If you were given the chance to follow in their footsteps and head to the lunar surface, would you take it? In any case, thank you so much for tuning in and giving us your time. Your support is what keeps this channel fueled up and ready to launch. As always, this has been Kevin from GreatSpaceX. Until next time, keep looking up!