Moon‑bound Mission: A 10‑Day Journey Around the Moon

Mission Overview

• Crew: 4 astronauts
• Duration: 10 days
• Vehicle: NASA’s Orion capsule on a Space Launch System (SLS) rocket

Day 1 – Lift‑Off & Early Flight

• Speed is key:
• SLS jettisons boosters and first stage within the first 8 min.
• Orion separation:
• After a few hours, Orion detaches and performs a fly‑by maneuver around the propulsion stage—testing its proximity‑maneuvering capability.

Days 2–3 – Systems Check & Translunar Injection

• Day 2:
• Orion system diagnostics.
• Astronauts exercise on a flywheel to counter micro‑gravity and follow launch‑aligned sleep cycles.
• Day 3:
• Orion fires its engine for the translunar injection, setting a free‑return trajectory that also serves as the return path.
• Safety drills (including CPR) are conducted.

Days 4–5 – Fine‑Tuning & Lunar Entry

• Days 4–5:
• Small correction burns fine‑tune the trajectory.
• Review lunar imaging targets and capture Earth–Moon photos from a midpoint.
• Day 5:
• Moon’s gravity takes over; crew enters lunar space.
• Suit checks (up to six‑day protection if capsule depressurizes).
• Final small burn maintains trajectory.

Day 10 – Splashdown

• Orion reenters, jettisons the service module, deploys parachutes, and lands in the Pacific near San Francisco.
• Navy recovery teams retrieve the crew for a homecoming welcome.