The Artemis II astronauts are more than halfway to the moon. Here’s what happens next - By CNN Jackie Wattles, Ashley Strickland , Elise Hammond

The Artemis II astronauts are more than halfway to the moon. Here’s what happens next

Day 1: Orbiting Earth

• Orion travels from low to high Earth orbit
• Remaining rocket parts separate from spacecraft
• Crew executes docking demo; prepares for "translunar injection"

Days 2 to 5: En route to the moon

• Orion’s main engine fires, setting it on a path to the moon
• Crew tests communications through Deep Space Network
• Spacecraft enters the "lunar sphere of influence"

Day 6: Historic flyby

• Lunar flyby and observation begins
• Orion makes closest approach to the moon
• Mission reaches maximum distance from Earth

Days 7 to 10: Heading home

• Orion begins its return journey, completing an unprecedented figure-eight path
• Crew conducts a manual piloting demo
• Spacecraft maneuvers toward reentry and splashdown

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