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.
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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).
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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.
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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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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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