Nasa looks to use soft-landing technology for future space missions

Nasa plans to use SpaceX’s propulsive soft-landing technology on the first stage of Falcon 9 rocket, to facilitate its future missions to Mars.

The agency said it has captured thermal images of the Falcon 9 on its descent at supersonic speeds.

Data accumulated will provide critical engineering information for the application and infusion of supersonic retro-propulsion into future Nasa missions.

Nasa propulsive descent technologies project principal investigator Robert Braun said: "Because the technologies required to land large payloads on Mars are significantly different than those used here on Earth, investment in these technologies is critical.

"This is the first high-fidelity data set of a rocket system firing into its direction of travel while travelling at supersonic speeds in Mars-relevant conditions."

To document the re-entry of the rocket’s first stage, Nasa has deployed WB-57, a twin jet engine high-altitude research aircraft, and a Navy NP-3D Orion aircraft.

The agency has collected infrared and high-definition images, as well as monitored alterations in the smoke plume as the engines were turned on and off.

Nasa Space Technology associate administrator Michael Gazarik said: "Through our partnership with SpaceX we’re gaining access to real-world test data about advanced rocket stage design and retro-propulsion."

The study has been backed by the development programme, which is part of Nasa’s space technology mission directorate (STMD).

STMD engages in developing, testing technologies for the future aerospace missions.

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Image: Thermal imagery of the Space X Falcon 9 first stage performing propulsive descent. Photo: courtesy of Nasa.