UAE's Khatim Astronomical Observatory monitors Orion spacecraft's path to Moon

On Friday evening, the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory (AKO), affiliated with the International Astronomy Centre, successfully monitored and tracked the Orion spacecraft from the Artemis II mission on its journey to the Moon.

This accomplishment highlights the advanced astronomical expertise and technological proficiency within the UAE.

Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, the Centre's Director, detailed that the spacecraft, carrying four astronauts, is intended to orbit the Moon and return to Earth, while conducting a range of scientific experiments. These efforts are preparatory steps for a future mission aimed at landing astronauts on the lunar surface by 2028.

During the observation session, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, 122 high-resolution images were captured of the spacecraft as it traversed the stars towards its destination.

The team conducted precise analyses, including pinpointing the spacecraft's coordinates, measuring its brightness, and tracking variations over time.

The observatory promptly shared these observational findings with international organisations to contribute to global scientific collaboration and data exchange.

At the time of observation, the spacecraft was 192,000 kilometers away from Earth, traveling at a remarkable speed of 4,843 kilometers per hour. A noticeable reduction in velocity was recorded several hours following the initial observation.