NASA's 'Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator' Inflates Like a Puffer Fish
Rahul Kalvapalle — May 14, 2014 — Tech
NASA is developing lightweight inflatable flying saucers -- called low-density supersonic decelerators -- that will help slow down spacecraft descending through the Martian atmosphere at supersonic speeds so that they can land in one piece.
These inflatable flying saucers will fit around the outer rims of spacecraft, inflating as the spacecraft descends to permit a soft and safe landing. This technology will allow astronauts to land bigger and heavier spacecraft without needing to carry massive atmospheric shields or huge amounts of extra fuel.
Not only will the low-density supersonic decelerators enable astronauts to land larger and heavier spacecraft, it will also enable landings at higher altitudes. They could even be adapted to land payloads on other planets.
These inflatable flying saucers will fit around the outer rims of spacecraft, inflating as the spacecraft descends to permit a soft and safe landing. This technology will allow astronauts to land bigger and heavier spacecraft without needing to carry massive atmospheric shields or huge amounts of extra fuel.
Not only will the low-density supersonic decelerators enable astronauts to land larger and heavier spacecraft, it will also enable landings at higher altitudes. They could even be adapted to land payloads on other planets.
Trend Themes
1. Inflatable Landing Technology - NASA's inflatable flying saucers is a trend that allows for a soft and safe landing of spacecraft without needing massive atmospheric shields or huge amounts of extra fuel.
2. Lightweight Spacecraft Design - With NASA's development of inflatable flying saucers for spacecraft landings, there is a trend towards lighter and more efficient spacecraft design.
3. Adaptive Planetary Landing Technology - The inflatable flying saucer technology by NASA could potentially be adapted for landings on other planets, allowing for a new trend in adaptable planetary landing technology.
Industry Implications
1. Space Exploration - NASA's inflatable flying saucer technology is a disruptive innovation opportunity for the space exploration industry to improve spacecraft landing capabilities.
2. Military - The military could potentially benefit from the inflatable flying saucer technology for improved air vehicle landing capabilities.
3. Aerospace Engineering - The development of inflatable flying saucer technology by NASA creates an opportunity for the aerospace engineering industry to create new designs for spacecraft landing systems.
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