See what a return from space looks like in NASA’s Orion re-entry video

A NEW video released by NASA provides an ‘astronaut’s-eye-view’ of re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere, aboard the Orion spacecraft.

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A NEW video released by NASA provides an ‘astronaut’s-eye-view’ of re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere, aboard the Orion spacecraft.

The footage, taken by an on-board camera during the unmanned craft’s December 5 test flight, shows the ten minutes from re-entry until splashdown.

Given the space agency hope to one day use the Orion for a manned return trip to Mars, we may be seeing a very similar view to that future space travellers will see.

Brilliant object ... hot ionised gas surrounds Orion as it enters the atmosphere at 20,000mph. Picture: NASA

Meeting place ... the spacecraft experiences Earth’s atmosphere. Picture: NASA

On the way ... jets fire to steer Orion to a six mile wide landing target in the Pacific Ocean. Picture: NASA

After coming ashore at San Diego, the spacecraft was hauled by truck across the US to Florida.

Engineers will now begin the lengthy process of inspecting the vessel and reviewing all the data collected by sensors.

Readying ... the deployment of Orion’s parachutes. Picture: NASA

Soft landing ... parachutes are completely filled ahead of splashdown. Picture: NASA

The capsule was struck by micrometeoroids, but that was anticipated.

It will be 2018 before another Orion flies.