Orion would come within 80 miles of the lunar surface at its closest point. Only that it happened on the far side of the moon: the side we never see from the earth and from which direct contact with the earth is not possible. As a result, the signal was also lost. Live view didn’t return until Orion had already passed the moon.
NASA announced that everything had gone according to plan and that the capsule had indeed reached its closest approach. But those hoping for close-up photos of the far side of the moon were disappointed. Until now.
