Orion heat shield photo dives into data, confirming NASA’s protection during Artemis II
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.