APOD: 2022 November 23 - Earthset from Orion

Good morning, Rallypoint, and welcome to the November 23rd edition of Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD): "Earthset from Orion." This image was released from a time lapse video taken from the Orion spacecraft as it passed near the Moon two days ago (November 21st).

One of the test objectives for the Artemis I mission is called 'SAT mode' (Search, Acquire, and Track). SAT mode is an algorithm intended to recover and maintain communications with Earth after loss of Orion’s navigation state, extended loss of communications with Earth, or after a temporary power loss that causes Orion to reboot hardware. To test the algorithm, flight controllers will command the spacecraft to enter SAT mode, and after about 15 minutes, restore normal communications. Testing SAT mode will give engineers confidence it can be relied upon as the final option to fix a loss of communications when crew are aboard.

NASA blog sites indicate the next live event will be NASA Television coverage of the distant retrograde orbit (DRO) insertion burn, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EST on Friday, Nov. 25. This will place Orion in orbit around the Moon some ~92,000 kilometers (~57,500 miles) above the lunar surface.