NASA’s spacecraft circled the moon

NASA’s Orion spacecraft reached the moon, circling its back side and traveling about 130 kilometers from the Earth’s satellite.

The approach occurred Monday, when the craft with three dummies on board was on the back side of the moon.

Because of a break in communications, dispatchers in Houston did not know if the critical engine launch was successful until after the spacecraft emerged from behind the moon.

The spacecraft is visiting the moon for the first time since the Apollo program ended 50 years ago.

“Orion departed for a three-week mission Nov. 16 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.