Author: Sarah Frazier

LOFTID Team Retrieves Backup Data Recorder

The LOFTID team successfully retrieved the mission’s ejectable data module from the Pacific Ocean on Thursday morning. The data module resembles a large lemon and holds a backup copy of the data recorded during LOFTID’s demonstration. Another copy of the data is stored aboard the heat shield itself, which was already recovered by the team.  

The recovery vessel will now make its way back to port. The LOFTID team will analyze the recorded data and inspect the heat shield to assess how the technology performed. Additional updates will be provided as available.  

The LOFTID heat shield sits nose-down on the deck of a boat. The heat shield is made of orange, donut-shaped tubes stacked together to form a blunt cone and covered with a black fabric.
The LOFTID heat shield sits on the deck of the recovery vessel. After the heat shield was recovered, the team retrieved the small backup data recorder from the water. Credit: ULA

LOFTID Heat Shield Recovered, Aboard Boat

A nighttime view of the deck of a boat, with the blunt-cone-shaped inflatable LOFTID heat shield being lifted by a crane onto the deck.
The LOFTID heat shield is lifted out of the water onto the deck of the recovery vessel.

Team members successfully retrieved the LOFTID heat shield from the Pacific Ocean on Thursday morning. With the heat shield on board, the recovery vessel will next head to retrieve LOFTID’s ejectable data module, which contains a backup of the demonstration data that is also stored on the heat shield.