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LOFTID Mission

LOFTID mission demonstrating an inflatable decelerator that could potentially help land astronauts on Mars in the future.

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Why in the News?

Recently, NASA completed Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) technology demonstration designed to land humans on Mars.

Key Points:

About LOFTID Technology:

It will have an inflatable structure that is capable of holding its shape against drag forces.
It will also have a protective flexible thermal protection system that will protect it from the heat generated during re-entry.
Its structure is made with a stack of pressurised concentric rings that are strapped to form a cone-shaped structure.

Uses: This type of inflatable decelerator could be used in the future to land humans and large payloads on Mars or for atmospheric entry on other planets on moons.