Ship defects could delay US return to the Moon for years

NASA’s lunar exploration program faces serious challenges on its way to its next manned mission. The Artemis 2 mission, planned for 2025, is supposed to return astronauts to lunar orbit, but the test flight of the unmanned Orion spacecraft as part of the Artemis 1 mission revealed a number of technical defects that threaten the safety of future crews.

NASA’s Office of Inspector General released a report May 1 detailing these problems. The most serious of them concern the thermal protection system of the Orion spacecraft. More than 100 areas of insulating material showed excessive wear during re-entry, with chunks of charred material falling off the spacecraft and some even becoming temporarily stuck to windows, which might further impede pilots’ vision.

In addition, inspectors identified problems with mounting bolts and power distribution on the ship. All of these defects might jeopardize the success and safety of the flight with astronauts on board.

At the same time, the report emphasizes that NASA has too little time to refine and test new systems, since the launch is already planned less than 2 years in advance, and any schedule delays negate the chances of meeting the deadlines.

Apparently, NASA’s lunar exploration program appears to be seriously stalled due to technical flaws that were revealed following the first test flight. The space agency has a huge job ahead to ensure the safety of astronauts on the next stage of the Artemis mission, otherwise the timetable for man’s return to the lunar surface might once once more be pushed back by years.