NASA has clarified that the'missing chunk' of the Orion capsule's heat shield, which protects the spacecraft and its crew from temperatures reaching 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,650 degrees Celsius), was not caused by any abnormal ablation. The incident occurred during the Artemis 2 mission when the heat shield failed to vent properly, causing pressure to build up and dislodge pieces of material. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that the white color observed was consistent with the compression pad area and the local geometry, AVOCAT byproducts, and transitional heating environments. Despite some criticism, it is unlikely that any major issues will be uncovered during a post-splashdown review.