The USA conducted tests of an inflatable heat shield, which simultaneously plays the role of a “brake” during the descent from orbit. This was reported by Space News.

The launch was carried out on a rocket from the Vandenberg base. The rocket’s main payload was the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) 2 weather satellite, which will occupy a polar orbit to collect weather data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The secondary payload was the LOFTID device, “Low orbit flight test of an inflatable retarder”. This prototype heat shield remained attached to the upper stage of the rocket for 75 minutes after launch, until it sent the rocket back into its reentry orbit. Before leaving the stage, a six-metre heat shield was inflated, thereby slowing the test vehicle from orbital speed to Mach 0.7 after reentering the atmosphere, protecting it from extreme temperatures. As a result, LOFTID opened its parachute and was lowered into the Pacific Ocean according to plan.

At this time, scientists will analyze the course of tests to develop a full-fledged protection system for the prototype-based spacecraft in the future. First of all, there will be demand for Mars vehicles, which are cumbersome and not profitable to install large conventional heat shields.