Orion heat shield photo dives into data, confirming NASA’s protection during Artemis II
TL;DR
US Navy divers photographed Orion’s Avcoat heat shield after Artemis II’s splashdown off San Diego on April 10, 2026; NASA says the image shows significantly reduced charring, addressing earlier concerns raised after Artemis I. The heat shield protected the capsule from about 3,000°C during re-entry at hypersonic speeds, and ongoing inspections and imagery are providing vital data for future missions.
- Photo of Artemis II heat shield looks like an ethereal underwater world, but it's provided NASA with vital data Digital Camera World
- NASA on Track for Future Missions with Initial Artemis II Assessments NASA (.gov)
- Eerie underwater scene found by US Navy divers at site of Artemis touchdown Yahoo
- Opinion | After the Artemis Hangover WSJ
- Aimee Cobabe: Observing a master class in peace building from beyond the moon Church News
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