NASA is preparing to launch astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. But as the historic Artemis II mission approaches, a serious question is hanging over the countdown:
Is the spacecraft safe enough to fly humans?
As soon as February 6, four astronauts will board NASA’s Orion capsule — a spacecraft the agency admits has a known flaw. The problem lies in Orion’s heat shield, the single most important component responsible for protecting astronauts as they blast back through Earth’s atmosphere at speeds exceeding 25,000 mph.
During Artemis I in 2022 — an uncrewed test flight — Orion returned to Earth with its heat shield unexpectedly scarred and damaged, alarming engineers and triggering a years-long investigation. That same heat shield design is now scheduled to carry people.
Former NASA astronaut Dr. Danny Olivas didn’t mince words:
“This is a deviant heat shield. There’s no doubt about it.”
NASA’s solution? Fly anyway — but change the flight path.
Instead of redesigning or replacing the heat shield, NASA opted to adjust Orion’s re-entry trajectory, arguing that altering the angle and heat load reduces risk. Agency officials insist that changing the manufacturing process could introduce new unknown dangers – meaning every option carries uncertainty.
From NASA’s perspective, this is a calculated risk.
“From a risk perspective, we feel very confident,” said Lakiesha Hawkins, a senior NASA official.
Mission commander Reid Wiseman echoed that confidence, saying investigators identified the root cause and that the revised re-entry plan makes the mission safe.
But not everyone agrees — and some critics are deeply alarmed.
Former astronaut and heat-shield expert Dr. Charlie Camarda called NASA’s plan “crazy,” warning that the agency is repeating patterns that led to past tragedies. Camarda was part of the first shuttle crew to fly after the Columbia disaster and says the warning signs feel uncomfortably familiar.
“We could have solved this problem years ago. Instead, they keep kicking the can down the road.”
Behind the scenes, Orion has long been controversial. The spacecraft took 20 years to build, cost $20.4 billion, and has drawn sharp criticism from parts of the aerospace community. One former NASA engineer bluntly described it as “flaming garbage,” pointing to delays, costs, and design compromises.
Still, the mission is moving forward.
The Orion capsule is already stacked atop NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. Final risk reviews are underway. And unless something dramatic changes, four astronauts — three from NASA and one from Canada — will soon strap in and fly farther from Earth than any humans since Apollo.
NASA insists the risk is understood.
Critics say it’s still too dangerous.
And the world is about to find out who’s right.
🌕 One mission. One heat shield. No second chances.
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