Is Orion’s heat shield really safe? New NASA chief conducts final review on eve of flight.

WASHINGTON, DC—This week, NASA's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, said he has "full confidence" in the space agency's plans to use the existing heat shield to protect the Orion spacecraft during its upcoming lunar mission.

Isaacman made the determination after briefings with senior leaders at the agency and a half-day review of NASA's findings with outside experts.

"We have full confidence in the Orion spacecraft and its heat shield, grounded in rigorous analysis and the work of...