Chinese researchers find critical flaw in NASA's Artemis spacecraft engine design

A Chinese research team has identified a critical vulnerability in NASA's Artemis program's spacecraft design. The team's analysis, published in the journal Chinese Space Science and Technology, highlights that American lunar landers, including the Apollo Lunar Module and the Orion Spacecraft, rely on a single main engine for crucial descent and ascent maneuvers. This singular reliance presents a significant risk, as a failure in this engine would leave no backup, potentially jeopardizing missions and crew safety. In contrast, China's lunar lander design incorporates a more robust system with four engines, including three backup power sources for its descent stage. AI

IMPACT Highlights potential safety concerns in spacecraft design, prompting re-evaluation of critical systems.

RANK_REASON The cluster reports on a peer-reviewed paper that analyzes a technical vulnerability in a space program. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=0.4]

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• Apollo Lunar Module
• Artemis program
• China
• Chinese Space Science and Technology
• Nasa
• Orion Spacecraft
• United States

• paper
• safety

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