Adaptable Deployable Entry Placement Technology Tested At Spaceport America In New Mexico

NASA has tested its Adaptable Deployable Entry Placement Technology (ADEPT) foldable heat shield at Spaceport America last week.

ADEPT is a mechanically deployable semi-rigid aeroshell entry system capable of achieving low ballistic coefficient during entry suitable for a variety of planetary or earth return missions, according to the space agency.

Reuters reports that the system was launched aboard a suborbital rocket designed by UP Aerospace. It deployed at an altitude of between 62 and 75 miles. It landed at the White Sands Missile Range.

NASA's principal investigator for the project Brandon Smith told Reuters that the technology can protect a larger area than current rigid heat shields. “At the larger scales, it could be used for something as grand as human Mars explorations, or potentially human cargo landings on Mars,” he said.

Data from the test will be released after the heat shield is recovered and analyzed, according to the report.

(Image provided by NASA)

FMI: Source report