More details on the heat shield.⁣ ⁣ After extensive analysis and testing, engineers determined that as Orion was returning from its uncrewed Artemis I mission using a skip guidance entry, gases generated inside the heat shield’s ablative outer material called Avcoat were not able to vent and dissipate as expected. This allowed pressure to build up and cracking to occur, causing some charred material to break off in several locations.⁣ ⁣ Knowing that permeability of Avcoat is a key parameter to avoid or minimize char loss, we have the right information to assure crew safety on Artemis II with a modified entry trajectory and improve performance of future Artemis heat shields.⁣ ⁣ For the Artemis II crewed test flight, engineers will continue to prepare Orion with the heat shield already attached to the capsule. We are now targeting April 2026 for Artemis II and mid-2027 for Artemis III. The updated mission timelines also reflect time to address the Orion environmental control and life sup...