Why today’s lunar flyby will only stream low-resolution video

Four astronauts on Artemis II will perform a lunar flyby and approach about 4,000 miles (6,400 km) above the Moon.

Live video during the flyby will come from four SAW cameras mounted on Orion’s solar array wings and will be sent over low-rate radio links.

Orion carries an experimental optical (laser) communications system that has transmitted over 100 GB but can only operate at night and has pointing limits.

Distance to the Moon and limited Deep Space Network capacity, shared with many missions, prevent high-resolution live video today.