Orion reaching limits of Earth Atmosphere
#Orion has reached the upper limits of Earth’s atmosphere, generating heat as it passes through at about 20,000 mph (32,000 kph). The flight control team in Mission Control will lose contact with Orion for approximately 2.5 minutes as a superheated plasma forms around the capsule, blocking signals in and out. At the hottest period of its return through Earth’s atmosphere, its heat shield will experience temperatures near 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,200 degrees Celsius). Orion will then jettison its forward bay cover to expose and deploy the eight parachutes that will slow Orion from 300 mph (480 kph) to about 20 mph (30 kph) for its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Orion reaching limits of Earth Atmosphere
#Orion has reached the upper limits of Earth’s atmosphere, generating heat as it passes through at about 20,000 mph (32,000 kph). The flight control team in Mission Control will lose contact with Orion for approximately 2.5 minutes as a superheated plasma forms around the capsule, blocking signals in and out. At the hottest period of its return through Earth’s atmosphere, its heat shield will experience temperatures near 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,200 degrees Celsius). Orion will then jettison its forward bay cover to expose and deploy the eight parachutes that will slow Orion from 300 mph (480 kph) to about 20 mph (30 kph) for its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.