NESC Assists in Heatshield Investigation
December 26, 2024
NASA’s Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) is assisting in an investigation into the heatshield of the Orion spacecraft that will carry astronauts back to the Moon in 2024.
The investigation was initiated after a routine inspection of the spacecraft’s heatshield revealed a small crack. The crack is not expected to affect the safety of the spacecraft, but it is being investigated to determine its cause and prevent similar cracks from occurring in the future.
NESC is providing technical expertise to the investigation team, which is led by NASA’s Johnson Space Center. NESC engineers are reviewing data from the spacecraft’s sensors and conducting simulations to determine the cause of the crack.
The heatshield is a critical component of the Orion spacecraft. It protects the spacecraft from the intense heat generated by re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. The heatshield is made of a carbon-composite material that is designed to withstand temperatures of up to 2,760 degrees Celsius (5,000 degrees Fahrenheit).
The investigation into the crack in the Orion heatshield is ongoing. NESC is providing technical expertise to the investigation team, and the results of the investigation will be used to improve the safety of future Orion missions.
In addition to the investigation into the heatshield, NESC is also providing technical assistance to the investigation into the failure of the Artemis 1 launch. The Artemis 1 mission was an uncrewed test flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft. The mission was aborted after the SLS rocket’s engines failed to ignite properly.
NESC engineers are reviewing data from the launch and conducting simulations to determine the cause of the engine failure. The results of the investigation will be used to improve the safety of future SLS launches.
NESC is a NASA center that provides engineering and safety expertise to NASA programs and projects. NESC engineers are involved in all aspects of NASA’s mission, from design and development to testing and operations. NESC’s mission is to ensure the safety and success of NASA’s missions.
NESC Assists in Heatshield Investigation
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