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NASA is about to send people to the moon -- in a spacecraft not everyone thinks is safe to fly
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/23/science/artemis-2-orion-capsule-heat-shieldWhen four astronauts begin a historic trip around the moon as soon as February 6, they’ll climb aboard NASA’s 16.5-foot-wide Orion spacecraft with the understanding that it has a known flaw — one that has some experts urging the space agency not to fly the mission with humans on board. But NASA remains confident it has a handle on the problem and the vehicle can bring the crew home safely.
The issue relates to a special coating applied to the bottom part of the spacecraft, called the heat shield. It’s a crucial piece of hardware designed to protect the astronauts from extreme temperatures as they’re descending back to Earth during the final stretch of their moon-bound mission called Artemis II.
This vital part of the Orion spacecraft is nearly identical to the heat shield flown on Artemis I, an uncrewed 2022 test flight. That prior mission’s Orion vehicle returned from space with a heat shield pockmarked by unexpected damage — prompting NASA to investigate the issue.
And while NASA is poised to clear the heat shield for flight, even those who believe the mission is safe acknowledge there is unknown risk involved.
-snip-
The issue relates to a special coating applied to the bottom part of the spacecraft, called the heat shield. It’s a crucial piece of hardware designed to protect the astronauts from extreme temperatures as they’re descending back to Earth during the final stretch of their moon-bound mission called Artemis II.
This vital part of the Orion spacecraft is nearly identical to the heat shield flown on Artemis I, an uncrewed 2022 test flight. That prior mission’s Orion vehicle returned from space with a heat shield pockmarked by unexpected damage — prompting NASA to investigate the issue.
And while NASA is poised to clear the heat shield for flight, even those who believe the mission is safe acknowledge there is unknown risk involved.
-snip-
Much more at the link.
From Futurism:
https://futurism.com/space/experts-warn-moon-rocket-nasa-heat-shield
“What they’re talking about doing is crazy,” former NASA astronaut and heat shield expert Charlie Camarda told CNN.
Camarda has since teamed up with several other NASA research scientists, calling on the agency to heed their warnings.
“We could have solved this problem way back when,” he told the broadcaster. “Instead, they keep kicking the can down the road.”
-snip-
“The reason this is such a big deal is that when the heat shield is spalling — or you have big chunks coming off — even if the vehicle isn’t destroyed, you’re right at the point of incipient failure now,” thermal protection materials expert and NASA veteran Dan Rasky told CNN. “It’s like you’re at the edge of the cliff on a foggy day.”
Camarda has since teamed up with several other NASA research scientists, calling on the agency to heed their warnings.
“We could have solved this problem way back when,” he told the broadcaster. “Instead, they keep kicking the can down the road.”
-snip-
“The reason this is such a big deal is that when the heat shield is spalling — or you have big chunks coming off — even if the vehicle isn’t destroyed, you’re right at the point of incipient failure now,” thermal protection materials expert and NASA veteran Dan Rasky told CNN. “It’s like you’re at the edge of the cliff on a foggy day.”
12 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
Maybe the aliens camped on the dark side of the moon would
'take care of a problem' which we have been unable to solve.....
