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NASA inspector general finds Orion heat shield issues 'pose significant risks' to Artemis 2 crew safety

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By Brett Tingley

 published May 2, 2024

Heat shield issues threaten the timeline of NASA's Artemis moon exploration program.

NASA's Orion spacecraft for the Artemis 1 mission after it splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 11, 2022. (Image credit: NASA/James M. Blair)NASA's moon program still has some work to do before it can put human boots back on the lunar surface.

The agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report on Wednesday (May 1) titled "NASA's Readiness for the Artemis 2 Crewed Mission to Lunar Orbit," which aims to determine how ready NASA is to launch its Artemis 2 moon mission, currently scheduled for late 2025.

The inspector general writes that the Artemis 1 test flight of the Orion spacecraft "revealed anomalies with the Orion heat shield, separation bolts, and power distribution that pose significant risks to the safety of the crew."

Resolution of these anomalies is among the most significant factors impacting NASA's readiness for Artemis 2, the report adds.