NASA Defends Orion Heat Shield Decision Amid Criticism

NASA's decision to proceed with the Artemis II mission using an unmodified Orion heat shield has sparked criticism from experts who argue that safety is being compromised. Despite concerns about the heat shield's performance during the Artemis I mission, NASA's independent review team (IRT) concluded that the current design is safe, citing extensive testing and data analysis. However, critics, including former NASA personnel, have expressed dissatisfaction with the agency's transparency and decision-making process.