A revolutionary inflatable re-entry shield released by an experimental Russian booster rocket last week survived its return to Earth, although it was damaged on the way down, project participants said.
After an initial review of the innovative heat shield -- one of two that were to be returned from orbit a week ago -- project officials pronounced the device's first test mission a success.
The device, known as an IRDT (Inflatable Reentry Descent Technology),
was recovered after a week-long search in the southern Russian steppes in a region called Orenburg. A preliminary examination showed no signs of burning on the shield, according a written statement released by DaimlerChrysler, one of the device's co-manufacturers.
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| Artist view of Fregat upper stage and IRDT payload. Credit: Starsem. Click to enlarge.
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| Fregat upper stage in the integration facility in Baikonur. Credit: Starsem. Click to enlarge.
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The company also confirmed earlier reports from Russia that a mock-up payload within the IRDT suffered some damage on impact. DaimlerChrysler officials suspect that the spacecraft descended faster than expected.
A search for the other, larger IRDT heat shield, which was expected to return the Fregat upper stage of the rocket to Earth, still continues. The radio beacons on both devices apparently malfunctioned, though radar data shows that the Fregat did survive reentry.
DaimlerChrysler cooperated with Moscow-based
NPO Lavochkin to develop the Inflatable Reentry Descent Technology as a compact and cheap way of returning cargo from space. This system was originally designed for Russia's Mars '96 spacecraft. That project failed to leave the Earth orbit after its launch by a Proton rocket.
A special plane carrying the smaller, recovered IRDT device and its payload was expected to arrive in Moscow around noon Eastern Standard Time, on Wednesday. The spacecraft will be delivered to NPO Lavochkin's labs for further examination.
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