Debunking the Myth: Orion Spacecraft's Journey Around the Dark Side of the Moon
The Orion spacecraft from the Artemis II mission did not take exactly 42 minutes and 50 seconds to pass the dark side of the moon, contrary to a claim circulating on social media. NASA clarified that the spacecraft's transit around the Moon's far side actually took close to 50 minutes. The loss of signal, when communication with Mission Control was interrupted, lasted about 40 minutes. Therefore, the duration was either longer or shorter than 42:50 by several minutes.
The claim originated from a post on Facebook by the Vinyl Vault NE account, suggesting a connection between the runtime of Pink Floyd's album "The Dark Side of the Moon" and the Orion spacecraft's journey. While the album's length ranges from 42:49 to 42:56 depending on the format, the post's assertion about the album's runtime being close to 42:50 is generally accurate. However, NASA's official data for the Artemis II mission does not align with the album's duration.
According to Lauren Low, a public affairs specialist at NASA, the time the Orion capsule spent on the dark side of the Moon can be measured in different ways. The transit time refers to the period between Earthrise and Earthset, when the spacecraft moves behind and reappears on the other side of the Moon. During this time, the crew remained in contact with Mission Control. The loss of signal occurred when the Moon obstructed communication between the spacecraft and Earth, representing a true moment of being on "The Dark Side of the Moon."
In conclusion, while the runtime of Pink Floyd's album "The Dark Side of the Moon" is close to 42:50, the actual duration of the Orion spacecraft's journey around the Moon's far side was closer to 50 minutes, as confirmed by NASA.