🚀 How Will NASA Bring Artemis II Astronauts Back to Earth? The Science Behind Splashdown

After a 10-day mission around the Moon, the Orion capsule will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere at 40,000 km/h (25,000 mph). Its heat shield will endure temperatures up to 2,800°C (5,000°F)—hotter than molten lava! How does NASA ensure a safe return? Here’s the tech behind it:

🌍 Atmospheric Braking: The Avcoat heat shield protects against temperatures rivaling the Sun’s surface.
🪂 Parachutes: Eleven chutes slow the capsule from 500 km/h (310 mph) to 30 km/h (19 mph)—like jumping off a 3-meter diving board.
🌊 Splashdown: Ocean impact absorbs the shock, with recovery teams waiting just 5 km (3 miles) away.

📖 Original: Dive deeper into Artemis II’s return tech in NASA’s article.



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