Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleIndependent StaffThursday 09 April 2026 22:58 BSTArtemis II astronauts share they watched Ryan Gosling's Project Hail Mary before taking offNASA leaders have expressed “high confidence” in the Artemis II crew spacecraft's heat shield ahead of its historic return.The heat shield is a critical component of the Orion capsule, designed to protect the crew from temperatures reaching up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit during high-speed descent.The first uncrewed Artemis flight encountered issues with its heat shield, including cracks caused by gases unable to vent properly.Since the initial problems, the heat shield has undergone extensive testing to ensure its reliability.Amit Kshatriya, NASA's associate administrator, affirmed that confidence in the technology is supported by engineering, Artemis I flight data, ground tests, and analysis.In fullArtemis II live: NASA says it has ‘high confidence’ in heat shield as astronauts prepare for Friday splashdownThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in