NASA Delays Artemis II to 2026 and Artemis III Moon Landing to 2027 Amid Orion Heat Shield and Life Support Modifications

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free, and NASA astronaut and Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, right, are seen during an update on the agency’s Artemis campaign, Dec. 5, 2024, at the NASA Headquarters Mary W. Jackson Building in Washington. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

NASA announced significant delays to its Artemis moon program on Thursday, citing technical challenges with the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield and life support systems. The Artemis II crewed mission is now scheduled for April 2026, while Artemis III’s lunar landing has shifted to mid-2027. Heat Shield Investigation Results During the Artemis I test flight in 2022, NASA observed unexpected damage to the Orion capsule’s heat shield. The investigation revealed that gases trapped within the Avcoat material caused internal pressure buildup, leading to cracking and material loss during re-entry. While the spacecraft maintained safe internal temperatures, the issue requires modifications to … Continue reading NASA Delays Artemis II to 2026 and Artemis III Moon Landing to 2027 Amid Orion Heat Shield and Life Support Modifications