NASA to launch UFO-like inflatable heat shield into orbit this week for re-entry test

One solution to this problem is to increase the size of the “aeroshell” heat shield used during re-entry. However, the maximum size of a craft’s rigid aeroshell is limited by the dimensions of the rocket that took it into space in the first place.

By being inflatable, however, LOFTID can overcome this constraint, only blowing up to its maximum size when such is needed.

NASA said: “LOFTID’s large deployable aeroshell — and inflatable structure protected by a flexible heat shield — acts as a giant brake as it traverses the Martian atmosphere.

“The large aeroshell creates more drag than a traditional, smaller rigid aeroshell. It begins slowing down in the upper reaches of the atmosphere, allowing the spacecraft to decelerate sooner, at higher altitude, while experiencing less intense heating.”

READ MORE: NASA is planning to deliberately ‘crash’ future spacecraft on Mars

Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1693991/nasa-loftid-heat-shield-inflatable-ufo-like-low-earth-orbit-re-entry-test