For some reason, NASA is treating Orion’s heat shield problems as a secret

This capability makes the arc jet test facility unique in the world, but it still can’t fully replicate the stresses a spacecraft’s heat shield undergoes during reentry. There are some things that are just unknowable until you fly, said Victor Glover, pilot of the Artemis II mission, in an interview with Ars earlier this year.

“What we are doing now is assessing what is the appropriate approach for Artemis II, regarding the heat shield,” Glaze said Monday. “We know what needs to be done for future missions, but the Artemis II heat shield is already built. So how do we assure astronaut safety with Artemis II?”

This will be the second major human spaceflight safety decision NASA will make this year, following the agency’s choice to conclude the first piloted test flight of Boeing’s commercial crew capsule without its astronauts in the cockpit. Instead, the capsule’s two-person crew remained behind at the International Space Station after NASA managers could not get comfortable with malfunctions in Starliner’s propulsion system.

They’re not saying

Speaking at a meeting of lunar scientists Monday, Glaze said NASA wants to complete additional testing before a final determination on what to do with Artemis II. The final decision, she said, will be made by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

“We expect that additional testing to conclude by the end of November, and then we anticipate discussions with the administrator, who will make the final decision on how to proceed,” Glaze said. “I know we all want more information faster, sooner, better. We’re moving it as quickly as it possibly can move, and there will be decisions forthcoming.”

An attendee of the lunar science meeting in Houston asked Glaze if she could share the root cause of the heat shield erosion. “I’m not going to share right now,” she replied. “When it comes out, it’ll all come out together.”

Ars also asked a NASA spokesperson for details on the root cause. The spokesperson confirmed the agency has determined the root cause, but declined to identify the cause, saying the information is “under review” as officials plot the path forward for Artemis II. The spokesperson echoed Hawkins’s statement that NASA will release more information before the end of the year.