Artemis I Launches Successfully — First SLS/Orion Flight
92 FOMONASA's Space Launch System launched for the first time on November 16, 2022, carrying an uncrewed Orion capsule on a 26-day mission to distant retrograde orbit around the Moon. Orion splashed down December 11 in the Pacific. Heat shield showed unexpected but non-critical ablation patterns during reentry — triggering months of analysis before Artemis II crew clearance.
Why it matters
The SLS finally flew after years of delays and $23B+ in development costs. Orion performed well. The heat shield anomaly became the defining bottleneck delaying Artemis II from 2024 to 2026.
Details
Mission
- Vehicle
- Space Launch System Block 1
- Launch site
- LC-39B, Kennedy Space Center
Coverage
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nasa.gov ·
Artemis I Mission Ends with Successful Orion SplashdownNASA's Artemis I mission concluded successfully with Orion splashing down in the Pacific after 26 days and 1.4 million miles traveled. The mission validated SLS and Orion as a deep space architecture, though unexpected heat shield erosion during reentry triggered an extended analysis period delaying Artemis II.
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NASA's Space Launch System launched for the first time on November 16, 2022, carrying an uncrewed Or