{"id":60508,"date":"2021-11-02T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-02T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-475084"},"modified":"2023-09-15T16:47:19","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T20:47:19","slug":"testing-precision-landing-for-payload-return-from-low-earth-orbit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/armstrong\/testing-precision-landing-for-payload-return-from-low-earth-orbit\/","title":{"rendered":"Testing Precision Landing for Payload Return from Low-Earth Orbit"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-image-carousel grid-container grid-container-block padding-top-8 padding-bottom-8 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-image-carousel\">\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"image-carousel-slider margin-0\" id=\"image-carousel-slider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Ground crew inflate a high-altitude balloon at dawn.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg 1650w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=768,511 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=1024,681 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=1536,1022 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=900,599 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=1200,799 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The prep: Near Space Corporation\u2019s high-altitude balloon moments before launch for a NASA Flight Opportunities-supported flight test of SpaceWorks Enterprises\u2019 RED-4U capsule in Madras, Oregon, on Oct. 19, 2021.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc.<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/launch_5.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Near Space Corporation high-altitude balloon launches from Madras, Oregon. Testing Precision Landing for Payload Return from Low-Earth Orbit\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 7% 20%; object-position: 7% 20%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/launch_5.jpg 1650w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/launch_5.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/launch_5.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/launch_5.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/launch_5.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/launch_5.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/launch_5.jpg?resize=600,337 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/launch_5.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/launch_5.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The launch: A Near Space Corporation high-altitude balloon launches from Madras, Oregon, on Oct. 19, 2021, carrying the RED-4U payload return capsule from SpaceWorks Enterprises.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc.<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"674\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/red-4u-release-spaceworks.jpeg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Deployed parachute and payload against a cloudy sky\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/red-4u-release-spaceworks.jpeg 1651w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/red-4u-release-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=300,198 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/red-4u-release-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=768,506 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/red-4u-release-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=1024,674 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/red-4u-release-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=1536,1011 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/red-4u-release-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=400,263 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/red-4u-release-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=600,395 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/red-4u-release-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=900,593 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/red-4u-release-spaceworks.jpeg?resize=1200,790 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The release: The SpaceWorks RED-4U capsule in flight after being released from a Near Space Corporation high-altitude balloon at 103,000 feet. The parafoil guiding the capsule\u2019s descent was developed by Earthly Dynamics Corporation and Aerial Delivery Solutions.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc.<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/capsuleassessment_0.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"SpaceWorks Enterprises\u2019 Zack Reinhardt assesses the company\u2019s RED-4U capsule after a successful landing.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/capsuleassessment_0.jpg 1650w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/capsuleassessment_0.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/capsuleassessment_0.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/capsuleassessment_0.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/capsuleassessment_0.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/capsuleassessment_0.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/capsuleassessment_0.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/capsuleassessment_0.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/capsuleassessment_0.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The recovery: SpaceWorks Enterprises\u2019 Zack Reinhardt assesses the company\u2019s RED-4U capsule after a successful landing following a NASA Flight Opportunities-supported demonstration on Oct. 19, 2021, in Madras, Oregon.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc.<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-nav display-flex margin-left-auto margin-right-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-prev\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M3.5,4.5l3.7-3.6L6.3,0L1.8,4.5L6.3,9l0.9-0.9L3.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-next margin-right-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M5.5,4.5L1.8,8.1L2.7,9l4.5-4.5L2.7,0L1.8,0.9L5.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>On Oct. 19, 2021, a payload return capsule from SpaceWorks Enterprises was put to the test in Madras, Oregon, through a NASA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/spacetech\/flightopportunities\/index.html\">Flight Opportunities<\/a>-sponsored flight test. The company\u2019s Re-entry Device 4U (RED-4U) capsule was suspended under a high-altitude balloon provided by Near Space Corporation and released at an altitude of 103,000 feet. The capsule landed within 250 feet of the target touch-down destination, thanks to a guided parafoil from Earthly Dynamics Corporation and Aerial Delivery Solutions. While both the capsule and the parafoil had undergone previous testing, the demonstration was a milestone for evaluating the capsule\u2019s altitude-detection capabilities and the parafoil\u2019s autonomous guidance and control. The parafoil (a self-inflating device that resembles a parachute) deployed at approximately 25,000 feet \u2013 the highest altitude for which its deployment is designed. It then autonomously guided and controlled the capsule\u2019s descent to an easily retrievable ground location. This capability could make payload recovery safer and less costly and complex than untargeted touchdowns, where payload landing locations are much more difficult to predict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The successful flight test brings the technology a step closer to potential space-based uses. Approximately 20 inches in diameter, the guided re-entry capsule could one day be used for on-demand transport back to Earth of payloads up to about 18 pounds. It could carry materials manufactured in space for use on Earth, small instruments and tools, biological samples, and science experiments from low-Earth orbit destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the recent flight test, an educational payload designed by students from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in Atlanta hitched a ride inside the capsule. Supported by educational funding from Flight Opportunities the university\u2019s Sensor Telemetry Rig and Trial Operation System (STRATOS) captured real-time flight data during launch and recovery of the capsule. The student team will process the data to generate a full trajectory reconstruction. They plan to leverage the results to lay the groundwork for future Georgia Tech satellite missions specific to satellite relay systems, software architecture, flight avionics, and flight-ready structural designs. In addition to developing a flight-ready technology, the recent demonstration also provided students experience working directly with professional engineers on hardware development, integration, and field testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About Flight Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Flight Opportunities, a program of NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate, rapidly demonstrates promising technologies for space exploration, discovery, and the expansion of space commerce through suborbital testing with industry flight providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>By Nicole Quenelle<\/em><\/strong><br><strong><em>NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-technology-mission-directorate\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Space Technology Mission Directorate<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?w=525\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=197,300 197w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=263,400 263w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=394,600 394w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/stmd-solicitations-and-opportunities\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>STMD Solicitations and Opportunities<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1161\" height=\"773\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?w=1161\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg 1161w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?resize=768,511 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?resize=900,599 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1161px) 100vw, 1161px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/stmd-flight-opportunities\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>STMD Flight Opportunities<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg 2400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/armstrong\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Armstrong Flight Research Center<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1229\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/afrc2018-0020-06_eclipse_composite_cropped-1.jpg?w=1229\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/afrc2018-0020-06_eclipse_composite_cropped-1.jpg 4274w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/afrc2018-0020-06_eclipse_composite_cropped-1.jpg?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/afrc2018-0020-06_eclipse_composite_cropped-1.jpg?resize=768,960 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/afrc2018-0020-06_eclipse_composite_cropped-1.jpg?resize=819,1024 819w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/afrc2018-0020-06_eclipse_composite_cropped-1.jpg?resize=1229,1536 1229w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/afrc2018-0020-06_eclipse_composite_cropped-1.jpg?resize=1639,2048 1639w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/afrc2018-0020-06_eclipse_composite_cropped-1.jpg?resize=320,400 320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/afrc2018-0020-06_eclipse_composite_cropped-1.jpg?resize=480,600 480w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/afrc2018-0020-06_eclipse_composite_cropped-1.jpg?resize=720,900 720w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/afrc2018-0020-06_eclipse_composite_cropped-1.jpg?resize=960,1200 960w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/afrc2018-0020-06_eclipse_composite_cropped-1.jpg?resize=1600,2000 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1229px) 100vw, 1229px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Oct. 19, 2021, a payload return capsule from SpaceWorks Enterprises was put to the test in Madras, Oregon, through a NASA Flight Opportunities-sponsored flight test. The company\u2019s Re-entry Device 4U (RED-4U) capsule was suspended under a high-altitude balloon provided by Near Space Corporation and released at an altitude of 103,000 feet. The capsule landed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":168,"featured_media":194567,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2855,3333,2879],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[10419],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Testing Precision Landing for Payload Return from Low-Earth Orbit","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/armstrong\/testing-precision-landing-for-payload-return-from-low-earth-orbit\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/armstrong\/testing-precision-landing-for-payload-return-from-low-earth-orbit\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg"},"articleSection":"NASA Centers & Facilities","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Nancy J. Pekar"}],"creator":["Nancy J. Pekar"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Directorates","Space Technology Mission Directorate","Armstrong Flight Research Center","Flight Opportunities Program"],"dateCreated":"2021-11-02T21:00:00Z","datePublished":"2021-11-02T21:00:00Z","dateModified":"2023-09-15T20:47:19Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Testing Precision Landing for Payload Return from Low-Earth Orbit\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/armstrong\/testing-precision-landing-for-payload-return-from-low-earth-orbit\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2021-11-02T21:00:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Directorates,Space Technology Mission Directorate,Armstrong Flight Research Center,Flight Opportunities Program\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Nancy J. Pekar\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":2,"time_ago":"3 years","featured_image":{"id":194567,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks.jpeg","title":"prelaunch-nsc-2021-10-19-spaceworks","alt":"Ground crew inflate a high-altitude balloon at dawn. Testing Precision Landing for Payload Return from Low-Earth Orbit","caption":"The prep: Near Space Corporation\u2019s high-altitude balloon moments before launch for a NASA Flight Opportunities-supported flight test of SpaceWorks Enterprises\u2019 RED-4U capsule in Madras, Oregon, on Oct. 19, 2021."},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60508"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60508"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60508\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":457039,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60508\/revisions\/457039"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/194567"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60508"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=60508"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=60508"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=60508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}