NASA Confident Artemis 2 Heat Shield Will Perform After Artemis 1 Issue

Modifications to Orion's reentry trajectory aim to prevent repeat of Artemis 1 heat shield problem.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Following the uncrewed Artemis 1 lunar flight test in late 2022, it was found that ablative thermal protective material had unexpectedly chipped away from Orion's heat shield during its plunge through Earth's atmosphere. NASA has since identified the technical cause and made modifications to the Artemis 2 reentry trajectory to minimize the risk of a repeat issue when the mission launches four astronauts around the moon as soon as early March 2026.

Why it matters

The high-speed, safe return to Earth of the Artemis 2 moon crew depends on the thermal protection system of the Orion's crew module. Any issues with the heat shield could jeopardize the safety of the astronauts on board. NASA is taking steps to address the Artemis 1 heat shield problem to ensure a successful Artemis 2 mission.

The details

During Orion's Artemis 1 reentry, the craft used a skip guidance entry technique, dipping into the upper part of Earth's atmosphere and using atmospheric drag to reduce speed before skipping back out and reentering for final descent. This maneuver led to the unexpected chipping away of the ablative thermal protective material on the heat shield. Engineers have determined the root cause was that the Avcoat material did not allow for enough of the gases generated inside to escape, causing pressure buildup and cracking. For Artemis 2, NASA has modified the trajectory to shorten how far Orion can fly between atmosphere entry and splashdown, limiting the time in the temperature range where the Artemis 1 issue occurred.

  • Artemis 1 lunar flight test took place in late 2022.
  • Orion made a successful ocean splashdown under parachutes on Dec. 11, 2022, following nearly 26 days of flight.
  • Artemis 2 is targeted to launch four astronauts around the moon as soon as early March 2026.

The players

Orion

The crew module of NASA's Artemis missions that will carry astronauts to the moon. It is equipped with a large heat shield to protect the crew during high-speed reentry.

Lockheed Martin

The main contractor for the Orion spacecraft, responsible for building the heat shield and thermal protection system.

Kenna Pell

An Orion public affairs official at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Blaine Brown

Orion spacecraft mechanical systems director for Lockheed Martin.

NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG)

The independent oversight office that issued a report on the challenges facing NASA's effort to return humans to the moon.

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What’s next

NASA plans to reuse the heat shield design for Artemis 2 while flying a modified reentry trajectory that is less severe. This approach is technically feasible but contingent on a successful test campaign and does not retire the heat shield risk for Artemis 3.

The takeaway

NASA has identified the root cause of the Artemis 1 heat shield issue and is taking proactive steps to mitigate the risk for the crewed Artemis 2 mission. While some challenges remain, the space agency is confident the modified reentry trajectory will prevent a repeat of the problem and ensure the safe return of astronauts from the moon.