NASA Adjusts Artemis MissionsOrion Heat Shield Issues
Unexpected heat shield damage during Artemis I reentry prompts NASA to revise designs and delay future crewed lunar missions.
- NASA's uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022 revealed unexpected damage to the Orion capsule's heat shield after reentry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
- The heat shield's resin material trapped heat during reentry, leading to cracks and deterioration not observed in previous Apollo missions.
- NASA engineers have spent nearly two years analyzing the issue and are implementing design changes for Artemis II and III to prevent similar problems.
- The Artemis II mission, now scheduled for 2026, will feature a modified reentry trajectory to reduce heat accumulation on the shield.
- Artemis III, planned for 2027, will use a newly manufactured heat shield with improved permeability to enhance safety for astronauts.
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