Space Twitter’s Ad Hoc Heat Shield Analysis – NASA Watch

Keith’s note: An enlargement of this image from the splashdown of Artemis II is all over space Twitter. There is a bright colored region on the heat shield. Armchair experts and space influencers all have an opinion. That’s all they have – from one blurry pic. Jared Isaacman @NASAAdmin said this in response. When he has an answer he’ll tell us. So chill and focus on some #MoonJoy. More below
“I am hesitant to get ahead of a proper data review, but I understand the space community’s curiosity, especially when imagery can give the impression of a problem.
As you would expect, engineers were eager to inspect the heat shield, starting with diver imagery shortly after splashdown and continuing with the review aboard the ship. No unexpected conditions were observed. I suspect when the images are released, it will be pretty obvious the stark difference between Artemis I and Artemis II head shield performance.
As to the question specifically, the discoloration was not liberated material. The white color observed corresponds to the compression pad area and is consistent with the local geometry, AVCOAT byproducts, and transitional heating environments. We observed this behavior in arc jet testing and expected it in this compression pad area.
We will complete a full data review across all systems, including the thermal protection system, and make the results publicly available.”
NASA Watch founder, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA, Away Teams, Journalist, Space & Astrobiology, Lapsed climber.
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