This is an unprecedented and extraordinary time for space exploration as the new-age space race aims to expand what is known about Earth's celestial neighbors, but there's one glaring issue with Artemis II's Orion spacecraft that most experts are worried about. The Orion from the historic Artemis I had a near-identical heat shield, and upon its re-entry, its heat shield suffered damage. As the initial coating charred, it didn't break off as predicted but instead left cavities in the material. Instead of changing the heat shield, NASA will alter the entry profile or trajectory of the craft, designed to take a higher heat load for a couple of minutes mid-flight. Using modeling and testing methods, like arc jet testing, they believe the new trajectory and higher heat exposure will produce less cracking in the Avcoat material — the coating used for the heat shield.