SMRTR Science & EngineeringFeb 3, 2026Scientific American

NASA’s Artemis II moon mission engulfed by debate over its controversial heat shield

SMRTR summary

NASA's upcoming Artemis II mission faces safety concerns after the Orion capsule's heat shield suffered unexpected damage during the 2022 Artemis I test flight, with large chunks breaking off during reentry. Rather than redesigning the flawed heat shield, NASA plans to alter the spacecraft's reentry path to reduce damage risk, sparking debate among experts and former astronauts about crew safety.

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