Show threadSpaceflight 🚀Jun 19, 2025

🇩🇪 #ATMOS has few competitors, of which #VardaSpace and #InversionSpace both apply parachutes 🪂 for the final descent of their return capsules. #Phoenix doesn’t require parachutes due to its large surface area and low mass, allowing its shape to essentially act as a parachute. The ballistic coefficient is lower than #NASA’s #LOFTID demonstrator. The next Phoenix to launch will carry "green #propulsion; ethane and nitrous oxide” https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025/06/atmos-space-cargo

#AtmosphericEntry #Aerobraking #Reentry

How ATMOS Space Cargo is shaping Europe's spaceflight future through reentry capsules - NASASpaceFlight.com

As space-based research and manufacturing ramp up, a market is emerging for returning payloads to…

NASASpaceFlight.com
Show threadSpaceflight 🚀Apr 29, 2025
July 📆 2024 The outlook for slowing incoming vehicles has improved, compared to a decade ago. #NASA’s #LEO Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (#LOFTID) took place in 📆 2022, successfully inflating a 6-meter- (20-foot-) diameter aerodynamic decelerator system in Earth’s stratosphere, which has a density similar to #Mars’ 🔴 atmosphere. Additionally, engineers now are optimistic about using thrusters for what is called supersonic #retropropulsion https://www.planetary.org/articles/challenges-facing-the-human-exploration-of-mars
Challenges facing the human exploration of Mars

From the dangers of radiation to the complications of landing a crewed spacecraft, there are myriad technical challenges facing human exploration of Mars.

The Planetary Society
Guppy@ロケみる集会Nov 17, 2023
NASAの「完璧な」熱シールドデモがテストに合格
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/tech-demonstration/loftid/the-heat-is-on-nasas-flawless-heat-shield-demo-passes-the-test/

NASAのLOFTIDは18,000mphで大気圏再突入し、2700度の温度に耐え、太平洋に着水。大型の再突入体で、大気圏再突入技術を実証。HIADは火星や金星、土星の衛星での大型宇宙船降下を可能にする。NASAはこれを成功とし、次の大型HIADの開発をULAと共同で進める。

LOFTIDの技術実証は米小企業による貢献も含む公民連携プロジェクトで、打ち上げ運用をNASAが監督。 #NASA #技術実証 #LOFTID #HIAD #ULA
The Heat is On! NASA’s “Flawless” Heat Shield Demo Passes the Test - NASA

The Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) launched on Nov. 10, 2022, aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket and

NASA
OptimusPrimeBotAug 19, 2023

9 new pictures from NASA
- Boeing MD-90 flies from Victorville, California to Palmdale, California where it will begin modifications as part of NASA Sustainable Flight Demonstrator
- Piazza Knows How to Manage the Heat

#ArmstrongFlightResearchCenter #BoeingMD90 #California #EFPI #EdwardsAirForceBase #ExtrinsicFabryPerotInterferometers #HIAD #HypersonicInflatableAerodynamicDecelerator #LOFTID #LowEarthOrbitFlightTestofanInflatableDecelerator

⏩ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:ListFiles?limit=9&user=OptimusPrimeBot&ilshowall=1&offset=20230819010235

Uploads by OptimusPrimeBot - Wikimedia Commons

Gene MikulkaNov 17, 2022
Via #NASA - Photo of the 6 meter in diameter #LOFTID Re-entry vehicle on the deck of the recovery ship. The team have designed the aeroshell for a single use but it looks like it could be used again. They will conduct further post flight tests at the NASA Langley Research Center to see if there is a dual use option.
NASANov 17, 2022
Our Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator, or #LOFTID, launched on Nov. 10, to demonstrate inflatable heat shield technology that could be key to landing humans on Mars. Early results indicate our test was a success! Find out more: https://go.nasa.gov/3gcmajG #NASATechnology
LOFTID Inflatable Heat Shield Test A Success, Early Results Show

LOFTID Inflatable Heat Shield Test A Success, Early Results Show

NASA
Gene MikulkaNov 17, 2022
Via #NASA - Video of the reentry plasma generated by the Low -Earth Orbit Flight Test #LOFTID a type of inflatable heat shield to re-enter large payloads . The vehicle re-entered at a speed of 8km a second - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpgaz2OzxXY&t=48s
Re-entry Plasma

YouTube
Gene MikulkaNov 17, 2022
Via #NASA - Video of the Splashdown of the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test (#LOFTID) test article - It entered the atmosphere at 8 Km per second. The US Now has the ability to put large payloads into space with the launch of the Space Launch System and now have the ability to return large payloads. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trSE94KPRXs&t=9s
Splashdown

YouTube
Gene MikulkaNov 17, 2022
Via #NASA Video of the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test #LOFTID unfurling and preparing for reentry - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5YlL9Eo7lI
Inflation and Separation

YouTube
NASANov 17, 2022
LIVE: Experts share early results of @NASA_Technology’s Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (#LOFTID) a week after its technology demonstration. https://youtu.be/OUGtgTR4D9E
Media Briefing on Results of LOFTID Demonstration

YouTube