NASA’s Orion spacecraft: How to watch and Timing of the livestream

NASA’s Orion spacecraft: How to watch and Timing of the livestream

NASA’s Orion spacecraft has completed all of its engine burns to put it on its homecoming path. If everything goes according to plan on its 239,000-mile journey down to Earth, the uncrewed capsule is scheduled to make its splashdown off the coast of California on Sunday, December 11. On November 16, the Orion spacecraft launched into space atop NASA’s brand-new SLS rocket as part of the Artemis I mission. The mission is primarily a practise run for a crewed trip that would use the same rocket and capsule and take place as early as 2024.

The mission has thus far been carried out in a manner that is perfectly consistent with the plans drawn up for it. Most recently, the Orion spacecraft conducted a close flyby of the moon before starting a distant retrograde orbit around our nearest neighbor. Throughout the course of its voyage, the capsule has been sending back breathtaking photos showing the Earth and the moon in close proximity to one another. Additionally, a new record was established by the Orion for the furthest distance away from Earth that an astronaut-ready spacecraft has traveled.

Where and how to watch

On Sunday, December 11, around 9:40 a.m. local time, or 12:40 p.m. eastern standard time, the Orion spacecraft is scheduled to make a water landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. At eight in the morning local time, there will be a broadcast beginning from Mission Control in Houston (11 a.m. ET). The coverage will follow the spacecraft as it enters the Earth’s atmosphere at 24,500 mph and descends to the splashdown site with the help of parachutes.

You will also see the recovery team make its way to the spaceship in order to pull it out of the sea, as shown on the screen. You are able to view the livestream of NASA either by using the video player that is located at the top of this page or by going to NASA Live TV, which will broadcast the same feed.