ULA - Atlas V / JPSS-2 & LOFTID Missions poster.
Nov. 10, 2022
JPSS-2 and LOFTID Launch!
Atlas 5 launches weather satellite, reentry tech demo mission. Image Credit: NASA TV
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System-2 (JPSS-2) satellite, with NASA’s Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) technology demonstration along for the ride, lifted off from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California this morning, Nov. 10! Powered by 860,000 pounds of thrust from the United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 rocket’s RD-180 engine, launch occurred at 1:49 a.m. PST.
Atlas V launches JPSS-2 and LOFTID
JPSS-2 is 100th Primary Mission for NASA’s Launch Services Program
On Oct. 1, 1998, NASA consolidated expendable launch vehicle services shared by Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio; Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; and Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and created the Expendable Launch Vehicle Program, renamed Launch Services Program in 2000 and based out of Kennedy. On Oct. 24, 1998, Deep Space I launched on a Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex-17 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, followed by 99 more primary missions for the program over the past 34 years.
Today’s successful launch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Joint Polar Satellite System-2 (JPSS-2) and NASA’s Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) technology demonstration marks the program’s 100th primary mission and joins a legacy that includes historic missions such as Pluto New Horizons, the Parker Solar Probe, the Mars rovers, DART, and scores of Earth satellites and science probes.
JPSS-2 Satellite Separates From Second Stage, Traveling on Its Own
The United Launch Alliance Centaur upper stage achieved the desired sun-synchronous, polar low-Earth orbit for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System-2 satellite just over 28 minutes into flight.
JPSS-2 deployment
Now in low-Earth orbit, the Centaur will perform a deorbit burn, jettison the primary payload adapter, and put Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) on a reentry trajectory enabling it to demonstrate the inflatable aeroshell’s ability to slow down and survive re-entry.
Signal Acquired
The team has received signal from the JPSS-2 satellite. NOAA’s newest satellite will support essential forecasts for extreme weather events, feed daily weather models and monitor climate change.
JPSS-2 In Safe and Stable Configuration
Mission managers for NOAA’s JPSS-2 confirm the satellite has acquired signal and is receiving and responding to commands. The satellite is currently power positive (getting electricity) and in a safe and stable configuration while teams assess the status of the solar array.
Update on JPSS-2 Solar Array Status
JPSS-2 Satellite. Image Credits: NOAA/NASA
Mission managers for NOAA’s JPSS-2 are working to deploy the satellite’s solar array. The satellite has adequate power to operate while teams work to deploy the array. This indicates that one of the four solar panels is currently exposed to the Sun.
NASA’s LOFTID Technology Demonstration Begins
United Launch Alliance’s Centaur upper stage has successfully powered on the LOFTID re-entry vehicle, kicking off the LOFTID mission sequence. About two minutes after power on, Centaur released the payload adapter that had connected JPSS-2 to the rocket’s upper stage.
Limited data will be received real-time during the technology demonstration. Other milestones are notional given the mission timeline and sequence.
LOFTID’S Aeroshell Inflates
Aeroshell inflation has started. Once the aeroshell reaches four pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure, Centaur will begin positioning LOFTID for re-entry.
LOFTID Separates From Centaur Upper Stage
After orienting LOFTID to an acceptable separation angle, Centaur spun up and released the re-entry vehicle. Spinning at three rotations per minute keeps the LOFTID vehicle stable and pointed in the right throughout re-entry.
LOFTID deployment
LOFTID Aeroshell Fully Inflated; Re-entry in 25 Minutes
At this time, the aeroshell should have reached a full inflation pressure of 19 psi. LOFTID is only sending limited real-time data during the demonstration. Full data, including confirmation of the final inflation pressure, will be confirmed after landing and recovery.
LOFTID is now coasting toward the atmosphere and re-entry is expected to start in approximately 25 minutes.
LOFTID Re-entry Begins
Image above: LOFTID is fully inflated as it begins it re-entry. Image Credits: ULA/NASA TV
The team was able to visually confirm full inflation of the re-entry vehicle. LOFTID is now estimated to be at about 78 miles in altitude, the point the LOFTID team considers the start of atmospheric re-entry.
LOFTID Reaches Maximum Re-entry Heating
Over the past few minutes, LOFTID’s thermal protection system should have reached maximum re-entry heating, and the inflatable structure should have reached maximum re-entry pressure load.
LOFTID is only sending limited real-time data during the demonstration. Full data, including the maximum heating and pressure load experienced, will be confirmed after landing and recovery.
LOFTID’s Parachutes Have Deployed
Teams confirmed the ejectable data recorder jettisoned and have received GPS data on its location. LOFTID’s parachutes are expected to have deployed, preparing LOFTID for splashdown in less than 10 minutes.
Splashdown! LOFTID Set for Retrieval in the Pacific
LOFTID splashdown
LOFTID has splashed down in the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles off the coast of Hawaii. Once the aeroshell’s location is determined, the recovery boat will head towards the aeroshell for attempted retrieval. Following retrieval, the team will recover the ejectable data recorder.
Additional updates will be provided over the next few days, as available.
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.
Image above: 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. Image Credit: ULA.
LOFTID Heat Shield Recovered, Aboard Boat
Image above: The LOFTID heat shield is lifted out of the water onto the deck of the recovery vessel. Image Credit: ULA.
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.
End of LOFTID Technology Demonstration
According to the team’s predictions, LOFTID should have slowed down to Mach 0.7 — from a maximum speed of Mach 29 — marking the end of the demonstration and data collection. As LOFTID approaches splashdown in approximately 16 minutes, the ejectable data module will jettison and the parachute will deploy.
Related links:
Joint Polar Satellite System-2 (JPSS-2): https://www.nasa.gov/subject/3649/noaa/
Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/loftid/index.html
Images (mentioned), Videos, Text, Credits: NASA/Rob Garner/Karen Fox/Jason Costa/NASA TV/SciNews.
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