NASA Capsule Buzzes Moon, Last Big Step Before Lunar Orbit

NASA's Orion capsule, (L), nearing the moon, (R), on Nov. 21, 2022. NASA via AP

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—NASA’s Orion capsule reached the moon Monday, whipping around the far side and buzzing the lunar surface on its way to a record-breaking orbit with test dummies sitting in for astronauts.

It’s the first time a capsule has visited the moon since NASA’s Apollo program 50 years ago, and represents a huge milestone in the $4.1 billion test flight that began last Wednesday.