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[b]LOFTID Technology Demonstration Begins[/b] 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. [b]Aeroshell Inflates[/b] Aeroshell inflation has started. Once the aeroshell reaches four pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure, Centaur will begin positioning LOFTID for re-entry. [b]LOFTID Separates From Centaur Upper Stage[/b] 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. [b]LOFTID Aeroshell Fully Inflated; Re-entry in 25 Minutes[/b] 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. [b]LOFTID Re-entry Begins[/b] 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. [b]LOFTID Reaches Maximum Re-entry Heating[/b] 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. [b]End of LOFTID Technology Demonstration[/b] 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. [b]LOFTID's Parachutes Have Deployed[/b] 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. [b]Splashdown! LOFTID Set for Retrieval in the Pacific[/b] 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. [b]LOFTID Splashdown Confirmed[/b] The LOFTID team has visually confirmed the heat shield's splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Splashdown occurred a few minutes later than originally thought based on the expected mission timeline. [b]Team Continues to Monitor Telemetry Data[/b] At this time, the team has not yet received data to confirm solar array deployment. There may not be an issue, but we're monitoring closely as more telemetry data becomes available. [b]LOFTID Recovery Underway[/b] LOFTID landed close to the recovery ship. After assessing the situation, the crew aboard the Kahana-II have begun preparation for recovery operations, which will bring LOFTID aboard the vessel. NASA will post updates on the recovery process and the results of the demonstration as more information becomes available.
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