NASA’s Orion capsule made a blisteringly fast return from the moon Sunday, parachuting into the Pacific off Mexico to conclude a test flight that should clear the way for astronauts on the next lunar flyby.
The incoming capsule hit the atmosphere at Mach 32, or 32 times the speed of sound, and endured reentry temperatures of 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius) before splashing down west of Baja California near Guadalupe Island. A Navy ship quickly moved in to recover the spacecraft and its silent occupants — three test dummies rigged with vibration sensors and radiation monitors.
Things to Do in Charlotte North Carolina
|
Things to Do in Charlotte North Carolina
Whether you’re looking for a family vacation or a romantic getaway, Charlotte North Carolina has something for everyone. With the Atlantic Ocean and Blue Ridge Mountains just a short drive away, it’s easy to enjoy the great outdoors. You can visit breweries, museums, and other attractions while enjoying the city’s beautiful surroundings.
For sports enthusiasts, Charlotte is home to 16 NASCAR teams. In addition, the Charlotte Hornets play basketball and the Carolina Hurricanes play hockey. You can also visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where many of the sport’s biggest stars are honored.
There’s also the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race held in May. Another great reason to visit Charlotte is the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase in Mineral Springs, which draws spectators from around the world.
If you’re interested in art, you can visit the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. This museum features nearly one million works of art from Edgar Degas to Jasper Johns. It’s open every day except Tuesday.
Other art museums in Charlotte include the Mint Museum Uptown and the Mint Museum Randolph. These museums have American and European art. You can also see African art at the Mint Museum Randolph.
There’s plenty of nightlife in Charlotte, too. In fact, it’s ranked the 24th best city for gigs by Glassdoor. There’s also the Funny Bus, which has an R-rating.
You’ll find lots of great restaurants in Charlotte. The beer and wine scene is popular, and there are dozens of breweries. You can even take a tour to find out more about what goes into brewing.