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Artemis II heat shield shows less damage after splashdown near San Diego than Artemis I

NASA reports the Orion capsule's heat shield performed better during Artemis II's re-entry compared to the uncrewed Artemis I mission, with inspections ongoing.

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Artemis II heat shield shows less damage after splashdown near San Diego than Artemis I

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Updated: 7:45 PM CDT Apr 23, 2026

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NASA has shared new details about the performance of the Orion capsule’s heat shield, which helped safely return the Artemis II astronauts to Earth. Related video above: New video shows recovery team welcoming Artemis II crew back to earthNASA said the heat shield held up better during re-entry compared to the uncrewed Artemis I mission. “This is a picture of the heat shield after the crew splashed down off the coast of San Diego earlier this month,” NASA said. NASA said initial inspections show the shield suffered significantly less damage compared to Artemis I. “This is what that heat shield looked like after re-entry of Artemis I,” NASA said. The agency explained that Artemis II followed a different trajectory, which they believed would limit the wear and tear as the capsule experienced temperatures up to 5,000 degrees. Inspections inside and outside of the capsule are continuing.

NASA has shared new details about the performance of the Orion capsule’s heat shield, which helped safely return the Artemis II astronauts to Earth.

Related video above: New video shows recovery team welcoming Artemis II crew back to earth

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NASA said the heat shield held up better during re-entry compared to the uncrewed Artemis I mission.

“This is a picture of the heat shield after the crew splashed down off the coast of San Diego earlier this month,” NASA said.

NASA said initial inspections show the shield suffered significantly less damage compared to Artemis I.

“This is what that heat shield looked like after re-entry of Artemis I,” NASA said.

The agency explained that Artemis II followed a different trajectory, which they believed would limit the wear and tear as the capsule experienced temperatures up to 5,000 degrees.

Inspections inside and outside of the capsule are continuing.

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