Heat shield installed on NASA's Orion spacecraft; will ensure safe return of Artemis II crew

NASA engineers have successfully installed the heat shield on the Artemis II Orion spacecraft. The installation was completed inside the high bay of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 25.

The heat shield, measuring 16.5 feet in width, is one of the most critical systems on the Orion spacecraft. Its purpose is to protect the astronauts on board as the spacecraft re-enters Earth's atmosphere following its mission around the Moon. During re-entry, the spacecraft will reach speeds of approximately 25,000 mph and encounter external temperatures nearing 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the astronauts inside will experience a much more comfortable temperature in the mid-70s, thanks to Orion's thermal protection system.

Now that the installation of the heat shield is complete, the next step is to outfit the spacecraft with external panels. These panels will be added ahead of acoustic testing which is scheduled for later this summer. The acoustic tests are vital in ensuring that the crew module can withstand the intense vibrations it will encounter throughout the Artemis II mission, including during launch, flight, and landing.

Upon the successful completion of the acoustic testing, technicians will attach the crew module to Orion's service module, marking a significant milestone for the Artemis II mission. This mission will be the first with astronauts under the Artemis program and will serve as a comprehensive test of all the systems on Orion needed for future crewed missions.

NASA aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence there through the Artemis missions. As the first crewed mission of the Artemis program, Artemis II holds immense significance in paving the way for future lunar exploration and advancing our understanding of deep space.

Through rigorous testing and evaluation of the Orion spacecraft, the agency aims to ensure the safety and reliability of crewed missions to the Moon and beyond.

The heat shield ensuring the safe return of the #Artemis II crew is installed on Orion!Up next, the spacecraft will be outfitted with some of its external panels ahead of acoustic testing later this summer.Read more: https://t.co/PJaP6IT1dt pic.twitter.com/jH9enqRzOj

— Orion Spacecraft (@NASA_Orion) June 27, 2023