Comment Easier than Apollo (Score 4, Interesting) 73
From what I understand their flyby is much easier (requires to power to come back) compared to orbiting around the moon like previous Apollo missions.
Unless their calculation is wrong and they miss the moon, they don't need any power to come back to the earth's orbit, they are pushed back using the moon's gravitational force.
It's a much greater technological accomplishment to be able to orbit around the moon and make a few turn, and then choose to turn on propulsion when you are ready to go back to the earth, even if you remain closer to the earth (because you are closer to the moon).