The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), an independent group that advises NASA, has expressed concerns about the risks associated with the current Artemis 3 moon landing plan. They believe that the plan may be too ambitious and that the number of "first-time" objectives could increase the likelihood of something going wrong.
Here are some of the specific risks that the ASAP has highlighted:
- The complexity of the mission: Artemis 3 involves many complex maneuvers and technologies that have never been tested before, such as the rendezvous and docking of the Orion spacecraft with the Starship lunar lander, the descent and ascent of the lander from the lunar surface, and the use of new spacesuits.
- The tight schedule: The current schedule for Artemis 3 is very tight, and there is little room for delays or setbacks. Any problems with any of the components or systems could cause the mission to be delayed.
- The lack of margin for error: Because Artemis 3 is a crewed mission, there is very little margin for error. Any mistakes could have serious consequences for the astronauts.
The ASAP has recommended that NASA consider simplifying the Artemis 3 plan or delaying the mission to allow more time for testing and development. They have also suggested that NASA adopt a more incremental approach to lunar exploration, with each mission building on the successes of previous missions.
It is important to note that the ASAP is not saying that the Artemis 3 mission is impossible or that it should not be attempted. They are simply raising concerns about the risks involved and urging NASA to take steps to mitigate those risks.