Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID)
NASA’s LOFTID is demonstrating a cross-cutting aeroshell — a type of heat shield — for atmospheric re-entry.
Mission Type
Partner
Launch
Landing
Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) Overview
The Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) is demonstrating a cross-cutting aeroshell — a type of heat…
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NASA Successfully Tests LOFTID Inflatable Heat Shield
LOFTID launched to demonstrate inflatable heat shield technology. After liftoff on an Atlas V rocket, LOFTID inflated and deployed in space. After being released by the rocket’s upper stage, the heat shield re-entered Earth's atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. The team recovered the LOFTID aeroshell and early indications show the demonstration was successful.
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LOFTID Fact Sheet
The LOFTID demonstration is poised to revolutionize the way NASA and industry deliver payloads to planetary destinations with atmospheres.
The Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID), dedicated to the memory of Bernard Kutter, program manager, is a partnership between NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and United Launch Alliance (ULA) to demonstrate an inflatable aerodynamic decelerator, or aeroshell, technology that could one day help land humans on Mars.
LOFTID Animation
Animation of mission highlights for the upcoming launch of NASA’s cutting-edge entry, descent and landing technology: Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID).
LOFTID Launch
ULA Atlas V rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California November 10, 2023.
NASA’s rideshare technology demonstration, NASA’s Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID), will descend back to Earth and land in the Pacific Ocean.
NASA’s Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator – LOFTID Post Flight Video
Largest ever blunt body reentry
Entered at18,000 mph and reached Mach 30
Stable throughout hypersonic, supersonic, transonic, and subsonic descent
On November 10, 2022 NASA’s Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator, or LOFTID, successfully demonstrated a cross-cutting aeroshell — a type of heat shield — for atmospheric re-entry. Video of the mission along with highlights and analysis of LOFTID’s cutting-edge performance, descent and landing technology can be seen here.
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Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD)
Contact
To learn more, please reach out to Jimi Russell at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. at (216) 704-2412 or via email.
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The LOFTID Team
Greg Swanson
Greg Swanson, LOFTID's Instrumentation Lead, explains some of the science behind this innovative inflatable heat shield.
William F. Wood
AST Electrical Engineer William F. Wood shares his excitement for the pioneering technology being tested with the upcoming LOFTID demonstration.
Anjie Emmett
Anjie Emmett serves as the Segment Lead for LOFTID, an inflatable aeroshell technology that enables larger spacecraft to land safely on any world with an atmosphere.
