NASA did not respond to requests for comment about the state of the heat shield or when a full analysis of its performance would be available.
However, in response to a post on X from Eric Berger, an editor at Ars Technica, about the white patch, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the white spot was consistent with the agency’s expectations.
“No unexpected conditions were observed,” Isaacman wrote, adding, “the discoloration was not liberated material.”
He said the white spot corresponds to the heat shield’s “compression pad area” and aligned with what NASA engineers had seen in pre-flight testing.
“I am hesitant to get ahead of a proper data review, but I understand the space community’s curiosity, especially when imagery can give the impression of a problem,” Isaacman wrote. “As you would expect, engineers were eager to inspect the heat shield, starting with diver imagery shortly after splashdown and continuing with the review aboard the
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