The U.S. Geological Survey warned Southern California residents to expect a sonic boom early Friday evening as the crew aboard the Orion spacecraft reenters Earth’s atmosphere from its Artemis II mission around the moon.
The craft will hurtle toward the planet at speeds approaching 25,000 miles per hour on Friday, generating extreme levels of heat and pressure: the perfect recipe for a sonic boom, according to NASA. As the descending vessel shoves aside air molecules, it may form a shock wave similar to the bow waves created by fast-moving boats on water.
If the reentry does create a sonic boom, San Diego residents should prepare to hear and feel it between 5 and 5:15 p.m. PT, the USGS said.
-
White House share ‘first photo’ of far side of moon as historic picture released
-
Artemis II astronaut’s final poignant words with earth before loss of communication
Whether the splashdown will create a sonic boom on Friday depends on several factors, NASA explained…