Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator [LOFTID] (NASA)

[Grey Havoc]

https://science.slashdot.org/story/...ble-flying-saucer-then-landed-it-in-the-ocean
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/10/...-inflatable-heat-shield-launch-scn/index.html

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/loftid_fact_sheet_layout_090922_508.pdf

 

[Grey Havoc]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZlFiv3IKJM

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIJxl6_gHhs

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_F8pZ774P4

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6IbqNFHcuU



Space News story from yesterday:
https://spacenews.com/atlas-launch-to-test-inflatable-heat-shield/

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://www.cnet.com/science/space/nasa-tests-inflatable-heat-shield-that-could-land-humans-on-mars/

 

[BlackBat242]

Bouncy castle from space!!!

 

[Grey Havoc]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcm47AM3s-Q

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/...ld_test_a_success_early_results_show_999.html

 

[TomcatViP]

What a great achievement. And let's remember that this idea started as a personal recovery foldable vehicle for early astronauts in the early 60's.

 

[Grey Havoc]

View: https://youtu.be/-ZkYj6sub0U

 

[NMaude]

I wonder if SpaceX is considering the use of this technology to make recoverable and reusable versions of the Falcon 9's second-stage?