European Service Module and a distant Moon

On the 22nd day of the Artemis I mission, Orion captures the Moon as it heads back to Earth. The image was taken by a camera mounted on the European Service Module solar array wings, on 7 December 2022.

The European Service Module is powering Orion, providing propulsion, temperature control, electricity as well as storage and delivery for essential supplies such as fuel, water and air. The uncrewed mission Artemis I is designed to learn as much as possible about Orion and its European Service Module’s performance. The primary objectives are to demonstrate Orion’s heat shield on reentry, demonstrate operations and facilities during all mission phases, and retrieve the spacecraft after splashdown.