| IN BRIEF |
|
NASA's recent decision regarding the Orion capsule's heat shield has sparked strong reactions. By choosing to maintain an unmodified shield for the Artemis II mission, the agency provoked heated debate among experts and former NASA employees.
A controversial decision
Anger erupted as soon as NASA announced plans to launch Artemis II with an unmodified heat shield. Critics denounced the decision, calling it dangerous for the safety of the crew.
OpenAI CEO warns: superintelligence will be much more intense than we imagine
Ed Popea specialist in advanced materials, expressed his dissatisfaction on LinkedIn. He stressed that the agency had prioritized speed over safety and engineering.
The challenges of Artemis II
The Artemis II mission is of paramount importance. It marks NASA's first manned mission to deep space in more than fifty years. Four astronauts will be on board, further heightening security concerns.
“I don’t like what NASA has become,” said Charles Camarda, former astronaut and aerospace engineer. His words reflect a growing unease with the agency's current risk management methods.
“How I masterfully bypassed Google’s scam detection”: a worrying flaw to discover
An opaque process
NASA's lack of transparency has exacerbated criticism. Despite two years of assessing the tank's damage to Orion's heat shield, details were revealed late.
In May, a report from NASA's inspector general shed light on the extent of the damage. However, the agency remained silent until a recent press conference.
A mixed response from NASA
Paul Hill, chairman of the independent review team, denied there were any differences within his group. He said all recommendations were accepted unanimously.
NASA: this signal sent 466 million kilometers shakes up everything we thought we knew about space communication
Despite this, the agency admitted that public communication could have been improved. “It’s a complex story to tell,” Hill acknowledged, emphasizing the need for increased transparency.
Technical implications
Orion's heat shield uses a material called Avcoat. Designed to withstand extreme temperatures, it showed signs of weakness during the Artemis I mission.
Extensive testing identified the cause of the observed cracks. Trapped gases led to increased pressure and cracks in the Avcoat material.
| Mission | Expected date | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Artemis I | 2022 | Uncrewed flight around the Moon |
| Artemis II | Avril 2026 | First manned flight to deep space |
A question of trust
Public trust in NASA could be affected by this affair. Critics point to the need for better communication and full transparency.
For many, the question remains whether the agency can reassure the public and experts that its future missions are safe.
Ultimately, NASA must answer a crucial question: How can it rebuild trust and ensure the safety of its missions in the future?
Source : Arstechnica
Get IPTV Free Trial Now