NASA
DIP Events
1 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Getty ImagesNovember 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM EST
Digital Information Platform Virtual Workshop: A Virtual Workshop on Service Quality, Data Governance, Cybersecurity, and Interoperability
June 28, 2023 at 10:00 AM EDT
DIP Information Session: Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity (ACO) for Service Providers
July 27, 2022 at 10:00 AM EDT
DIP Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity (ACO) for Flight Operators
February 23, 2022 at 10:00 AM EST
DIP Workshop Series 3: DIP for Consumers
January 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM EST
DIP Workshop 2: DIP for Service Providers
November 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM EST
DIP Workshop Series 1: DIP Architecture and Data Integration Services
August 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM EDT
DIP RFI Outbrief Session
April 14, 2021 at 11:00 AM EDT
DIP Request for Information (RFI) Information Session
Digital Information Platform (DIP)
Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 1 min read Digital Information Platform Library Article 2 days ago 1 min read DIP Request for Information (RFI) Information Session Article 2 days ago 2 min read DIP RFI Outbrief Session Article 2 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans In Space
Solar System ExplorationEyes on the Solar System
Explore NASA’s History
Share Details Last Updated Jun 18, 2025 EditorLillian GipsonContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsDIP Events
1 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Getty ImagesNovember 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM EST
Digital Information Platform Virtual Workshop: A Virtual Workshop on Service Quality, Data Governance, Cybersecurity, and Interoperability
June 28, 2023 at 10:00 AM EDT
DIP Information Session: Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity (ACO) for Service Providers
July 27, 2022 at 10:00 AM EDT
DIP Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity (ACO) for Flight Operators
February 23, 2022 at 10:00 AM EST
DIP Workshop Series 3: DIP for Consumers
January 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM EST
DIP Workshop 2: DIP for Service Providers
November 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM EST
DIP Workshop Series 1: DIP Architecture and Data Integration Services
August 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM EDT
DIP RFI Outbrief Session
April 14, 2021 at 11:00 AM EDT
DIP Request for Information (RFI) Information Session
Digital Information Platform (DIP)
Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 1 min read Digital Information Platform Library Article 1 day ago 1 min read DIP Request for Information (RFI) Information Session Article 1 day ago 2 min read DIP RFI Outbrief Session Article 1 day ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans In Space
Solar System ExplorationEyes on the Solar System
Explore NASA’s History
Share Details Last Updated Jun 18, 2025 EditorLillian GipsonContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsDIP Request for Information (RFI) Information Session
1 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) StartApril 14, 2021 at 11:00 AM EDTEnd
April 14, 2021 at 1:00 PM EDT
NASA’s Digital Information Platform (DIP) sub-project as part of Air Traffic Management -eXploration (ATM-X) project has recently released the Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information to define collaboration strategy and identify community needs and goals. As a follow-on activity, DIP hosted an online information session to provide the stakeholder community with background of DIP sub-project, example use cases, collaboration approach, and areas of potential contributions both from NASA and interested parties. The purpose of the information session was to help the community understand the scope of the sub-project and thus respond to the RFI in a meaningful way.
- Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2021
- Time: 11 am – 1 pm (Pacific Time)
- DIP Vision and Motivation
- Example Use Cases
- Collaboration Approach
- Demonstration Progression
- Information Requested
- RFI Instructions to Submit
- Question & Answer
- Presentation slides
- Session Recording
- Request materials via email (arc-dip-ext@mail.nasa.gov)
Digital Information Platform Events
Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 1 min read Digital Information Platform Library Article 2 days ago 1 min read DIP Events Article 2 days ago 2 min read DIP RFI Outbrief Session Article 2 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans In Space
Solar System ExplorationEyes on the Solar System
Explore NASA’s History
Share Details Last Updated Jun 18, 2025 EditorLillian GipsonContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsDIP Request for Information (RFI) Information Session
1 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) StartApril 14, 2021 at 11:00 AM EDTEnd
April 14, 2021 at 1:00 PM EDT
NASA’s Digital Information Platform (DIP) sub-project as part of Air Traffic Management -eXploration (ATM-X) project has recently released the Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information to define collaboration strategy and identify community needs and goals. As a follow-on activity, DIP hosted an online information session to provide the stakeholder community with background of DIP sub-project, example use cases, collaboration approach, and areas of potential contributions both from NASA and interested parties. The purpose of the information session was to help the community understand the scope of the sub-project and thus respond to the RFI in a meaningful way.
- Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2021
- Time: 11 am – 1 pm (Pacific Time)
- DIP Vision and Motivation
- Example Use Cases
- Collaboration Approach
- Demonstration Progression
- Information Requested
- RFI Instructions to Submit
- Question & Answer
- Presentation slides
- Session Recording
- Request materials via email (arc-dip-ext@mail.nasa.gov)
Digital Information Platform Events
Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 1 min read Digital Information Platform Library Article 1 day ago 1 min read DIP Events Article 1 day ago 2 min read DIP RFI Outbrief Session Article 1 day ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans In Space
Solar System ExplorationEyes on the Solar System
Explore NASA’s History
Share Details Last Updated Jun 18, 2025 EditorLillian GipsonContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsDIP RFI Outbrief Session
2 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) StartAugust 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM ESTEnd
August 18, 2021 at 12:00 PM EST DIP RFI Outbrief Session
NASA’s Digital Information Platform (DIP) sub-project as part of Air Traffic Management -eXploration (ATM-X) project has received responses to the Request for Information (RFI) from aviation community. As a follow-on activity, DIP is hosting an online information session to brief out to the community with the summary of RFI inputs as well as the latest updates on DIP sub-project planning. The purpose of this session is to share the valuable inputs from the RFI responses on data & service needs for airspace operations, recommended use cases for DIP collaborative demos, and potential data and technology services that can be provided by the DIP platform through NASA-industry collaboration.
Interested parties are encouraged to register for the outbrief session by submitting the registration form shown below. The outbrief session will be organized by a series of presentation followed by a Q&A session, and will be available through MS Teams.
- Date: Wednesday, August 18, 2021
- Time: 10 am – 12 pm Pacific
- DIP Overview
- Partner Engagement Strategy
- Request for Information
- Responses Summary
- Demo Plan Overview
- Next Steps,
- Q&A
- Presentation slides
- Session Recording
- Request materials via email (arc-dip-ext@mail.nasa.gov)
Digital Information Platform Events
Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 1 min read Digital Information Platform Library Article 2 days ago 1 min read DIP Events Article 2 days ago 1 min read DIP Request for Information (RFI) Information Session Article 2 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans In Space
Solar System ExplorationEyes on the Solar System
Explore NASA’s History
Share Details Last Updated Jun 18, 2025 EditorLillian GipsonContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsDIP RFI Outbrief Session
2 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) StartAugust 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM ESTEnd
August 18, 2021 at 12:00 PM EST DIP RFI Outbrief Session
NASA’s Digital Information Platform (DIP) sub-project as part of Air Traffic Management -eXploration (ATM-X) project has received responses to the Request for Information (RFI) from aviation community. As a follow-on activity, DIP is hosting an online information session to brief out to the community with the summary of RFI inputs as well as the latest updates on DIP sub-project planning. The purpose of this session is to share the valuable inputs from the RFI responses on data & service needs for airspace operations, recommended use cases for DIP collaborative demos, and potential data and technology services that can be provided by the DIP platform through NASA-industry collaboration.
Interested parties are encouraged to register for the outbrief session by submitting the registration form shown below. The outbrief session will be organized by a series of presentation followed by a Q&A session, and will be available through MS Teams.
- Date: Wednesday, August 18, 2021
- Time: 10 am – 12 pm Pacific
- DIP Overview
- Partner Engagement Strategy
- Request for Information
- Responses Summary
- Demo Plan Overview
- Next Steps,
- Q&A
- Presentation slides
- Session Recording
- Request materials via email (arc-dip-ext@mail.nasa.gov)
Digital Information Platform Events
Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 1 min read Digital Information Platform Library Article 1 day ago 1 min read DIP Events Article 1 day ago 1 min read DIP Request for Information (RFI) Information Session Article 1 day ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans In Space
Solar System ExplorationEyes on the Solar System
Explore NASA’s History
Share Details Last Updated Jun 18, 2025 EditorLillian GipsonContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsDIP Workshop Series 1: DIP Architecture and Date Integration Services
3 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA / DIP StartNovember 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM ESTEnd
November 17, 2021 at 12:00 PM EST Workshop Series: What It’s About
The Digital Information Platform (DIP) workshop series is intended to provide a deeper dive and a closer look at some of the core features being developed by the DIP sub-project under ATM-X.
These workshops will give insight into DIP development, technology, and assumptions as well as providing a forum for engaging with the DIP team to pose questions and provide feedback on proposed designs. Engagement with the broader aviation community is a critical component to success of the DIP sub-project!
There will be several workshops within this series spanning a variety of topics. Participants are encouraged to sign up for any workshop topics they feel they could contribute to or provide feedback on.
Please keep an eye on the DIP homepage, under the upcoming events section, for future announcements of additional workshop topics!
Workshop #1: DIP Architecture and Data Integration ServicesThis workshop will cover DIP architecture and data integration services. Participants will get a look at how the DIP architecture is set-up as well as how data integration services are planned to be hosted on the platform.
The DIP architecture review is intended to cover how DIP was envisioned and how DIP is being developed to address data needs across the industry. Participants will have a chance to provide feedback on the DIP architecture and gain insight into how one might interface with the DIP to send or receive data.
The data integration services portion is intended to cover DIP’s technical approach to data integration. As an example implementation, there will be a first look at possible data fusion on the platform , including utilizing NASA’s Fuser, and tailoring for industry data consumers. Descriptions, at a high-level, of input to and output of the Fuser will also be discussed.
Who Should Register?Participants interested in partnering with DIP and registering their service with the DIP platform are highly encouraged to attend this workshop. This is a unique opportunity for the aviation community to provide feedback and input on how this platform is structured to meet your needs.
Data and service consumers as well as data and service providers are encouraged to attend this workshop to provide their feedback and input for DIP development.
Participants looking to gain insight into upcoming DIP demonstrations or to learn more about DIP are encouraged to attend this workshop.
Resources- Presentation slides
- Session Recording
- Request materials via email (arc-dip-ext@mail.nasa.gov)
Digital Information Platform Events
Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 1 min read Digital Information Platform Library Article 21 hours ago 1 min read DIP Events Article 21 hours ago 1 min read DIP Request for Information (RFI) Information Session Article 21 hours ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans In Space
Solar System ExplorationEyes on the Solar System
Explore NASA’s History
Share Details Last Updated Jun 18, 2025 EditorLillian GipsonContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsDIP Workshop Series 1: DIP Architecture and Date Integration Services
3 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA / DIP StartNovember 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM ESTEnd
November 17, 2021 at 12:00 PM EST Workshop Series: What It’s About
The Digital Information Platform (DIP) workshop series is intended to provide a deeper dive and a closer look at some of the core features being developed by the DIP sub-project under ATM-X.
These workshops will give insight into DIP development, technology, and assumptions as well as providing a forum for engaging with the DIP team to pose questions and provide feedback on proposed designs. Engagement with the broader aviation community is a critical component to success of the DIP sub-project!
There will be several workshops within this series spanning a variety of topics. Participants are encouraged to sign up for any workshop topics they feel they could contribute to or provide feedback on.
Please keep an eye on the DIP homepage, under the upcoming events section, for future announcements of additional workshop topics!
Workshop #1: DIP Architecture and Data Integration ServicesThis workshop will cover DIP architecture and data integration services. Participants will get a look at how the DIP architecture is set-up as well as how data integration services are planned to be hosted on the platform.
The DIP architecture review is intended to cover how DIP was envisioned and how DIP is being developed to address data needs across the industry. Participants will have a chance to provide feedback on the DIP architecture and gain insight into how one might interface with the DIP to send or receive data.
The data integration services portion is intended to cover DIP’s technical approach to data integration. As an example implementation, there will be a first look at possible data fusion on the platform , including utilizing NASA’s Fuser, and tailoring for industry data consumers. Descriptions, at a high-level, of input to and output of the Fuser will also be discussed.
Who Should Register?Participants interested in partnering with DIP and registering their service with the DIP platform are highly encouraged to attend this workshop. This is a unique opportunity for the aviation community to provide feedback and input on how this platform is structured to meet your needs.
Data and service consumers as well as data and service providers are encouraged to attend this workshop to provide their feedback and input for DIP development.
Participants looking to gain insight into upcoming DIP demonstrations or to learn more about DIP are encouraged to attend this workshop.
Resources- Presentation slides
- Session Recording
- Request materials via email (arc-dip-ext@mail.nasa.gov)
Digital Information Platform Events
Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 1 min read Digital Information Platform Library Article 1 day ago 1 min read DIP Events Article 1 day ago 1 min read DIP Request for Information (RFI) Information Session Article 1 day ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans In Space
Solar System ExplorationEyes on the Solar System
Explore NASA’s History
Share Details Last Updated Jun 18, 2025 EditorLillian GipsonContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsDIP Workshop Series 2: DIP for Service Providers
2 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) StartJanuary 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM ESTEnd
January 12, 2022 at 12:00 PM EST Workshop Series: What It’s About
The Digital Information Platform (DIP) workshop series intends to provide a deeper dive and a closer look at some of the core features being developed by the DIP sub-project under ATM-X.
These workshops will give insight into DIP development, technology, and assumptions as well as providing a forum for engaging with the DIP team to pose questions and provide feedback on proposed designs. Engagement with the broader aviation community is a critical component to success of the DIP sub-project!
There will be several workshops within this series spanning a variety of topics. Participants are encouraged to sign up for any workshop topics they feel they could contribute to or provide feedback on.
Please keep an eye on the DIP homepage, under the upcoming events section, for future announcements of additional workshop topics!
Workshop #2: DIP for Service ProvidersThis workshop will cover topics related to Service Providers. Participants will get a look at how the DIP architecture supports the onboarding process as well as how NASA services are planned to be made available via the platform.
The DIP for Service Providers is intended to cover how DIP was envisioned with regards to the following:
- Onboarding
- Announcement for Collaborative Opportunity, Space Act Agreements
- Interconnection Security Agreements & Authentication
- Catalog Service Capabilities
- Service Registration, Discovery & Try it now feature
- API Requirements, Service Specifications
- NASA Services and Access Points
- Machine Learning Services
- Data Access APIs
- Streaming Fuser Data
- S3 Bucket
- Data Requirements for Service Providers
Participants interested in partnering with DIP and registering their service with the DIP platform are highly encouraged to attend this workshop. This is a unique opportunity for the aviation community to provide feedback and input on how this platform is structured to meet your needs.
Data and service consumers as well as data and service providers are encouraged to attend this workshop to provide their feedback and input for DIP development.
Participants looking to gain insight into upcoming DIP demonstrations or to learn more about DIP are encouraged to attend this workshop.
Agenda- Onboarding
- Catalog Service Capabilities
- API Requirements, Service Specifications
- NASA Services and Access Points
- Data Requirements for Service Providers
- Presentation slides
- Session Recording
- Request materials via email (arc-dip-ext@mail.nasa.gov)
Digital Information Platform Events
Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 1 min read Digital Information Platform Library Article 21 hours ago 1 min read DIP Events Article 21 hours ago 1 min read DIP Request for Information (RFI) Information Session Article 21 hours ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans In Space
Solar System ExplorationEyes on the Solar System
Explore NASA’s History
Share Details Last Updated Jun 18, 2025 EditorLillian GipsonContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsDIP Workshop Series 2: DIP for Service Providers
2 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) StartJanuary 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM ESTEnd
January 12, 2022 at 12:00 PM EST Workshop Series: What It’s About
The Digital Information Platform (DIP) workshop series intends to provide a deeper dive and a closer look at some of the core features being developed by the DIP sub-project under ATM-X.
These workshops will give insight into DIP development, technology, and assumptions as well as providing a forum for engaging with the DIP team to pose questions and provide feedback on proposed designs. Engagement with the broader aviation community is a critical component to success of the DIP sub-project!
There will be several workshops within this series spanning a variety of topics. Participants are encouraged to sign up for any workshop topics they feel they could contribute to or provide feedback on.
Please keep an eye on the DIP homepage, under the upcoming events section, for future announcements of additional workshop topics!
Workshop #2: DIP for Service ProvidersThis workshop will cover topics related to Service Providers. Participants will get a look at how the DIP architecture supports the onboarding process as well as how NASA services are planned to be made available via the platform.
The DIP for Service Providers is intended to cover how DIP was envisioned with regards to the following:
- Onboarding
- Announcement for Collaborative Opportunity, Space Act Agreements
- Interconnection Security Agreements & Authentication
- Catalog Service Capabilities
- Service Registration, Discovery & Try it now feature
- API Requirements, Service Specifications
- NASA Services and Access Points
- Machine Learning Services
- Data Access APIs
- Streaming Fuser Data
- S3 Bucket
- Data Requirements for Service Providers
Participants interested in partnering with DIP and registering their service with the DIP platform are highly encouraged to attend this workshop. This is a unique opportunity for the aviation community to provide feedback and input on how this platform is structured to meet your needs.
Data and service consumers as well as data and service providers are encouraged to attend this workshop to provide their feedback and input for DIP development.
Participants looking to gain insight into upcoming DIP demonstrations or to learn more about DIP are encouraged to attend this workshop.
Agenda- Onboarding
- Catalog Service Capabilities
- API Requirements, Service Specifications
- NASA Services and Access Points
- Data Requirements for Service Providers
- Presentation slides
- Session Recording
- Request materials via email (arc-dip-ext@mail.nasa.gov)
Digital Information Platform Events
Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 1 min read Digital Information Platform Library Article 1 day ago 1 min read DIP Events Article 1 day ago 1 min read DIP Request for Information (RFI) Information Session Article 1 day ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans In Space
Solar System ExplorationEyes on the Solar System
Explore NASA’s History
Share Details Last Updated Jun 18, 2025 EditorLillian GipsonContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsNASA to Gather In-Flight Imagery of Commercial Test Capsule Re-Entry
A NASA team specializing in collecting imagery-based engineering datasets from spacecraft during launch and reentry is supporting a European aerospace company’s upcoming mission to return a subscale demonstration capsule from space.
NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) team supports a broad range of mission needs across the agency, including Artemis, science missions like OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Regolith Explorer), and NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The SCIFLI team also supports other commercial space efforts, helping to develop and strengthen public-private partnerships as NASA works to advance exploration, further cooperation, and open space to more science, people, and opportunities.
Later this month, SCIFLI intends to gather data on The Exploration Company’s Mission Possible capsule as it returns to Earth following the launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. One of the key instruments SCIFLI will employ is a spectrometer that detects light radiating from the capsule’s surface, which researchers can use to determine the surface temperature of the spacecraft. Traditionally, much of this information comes from advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling of what happens when objects of various sizes, shapes, and materials enter different atmospheres, such as those on Earth, Mars, or Venus.
“While very powerful, there is still some uncertainty in these Computational Fluid Dynamics models. Real-world measurements made by the SCIFLI team help NASA researchers refine their models, meaning better performance for sustained flight, higher safety margins for crew returning from the Moon or Mars, or landing more mass safely while exploring other planets,” said Carey Scott, SCIFLI capability lead at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
A rendering of a space capsule from The Exploration Company re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.Image courtesy of The Exploration CompanyThe Exploration Company
The SCIFLI team will be staged in Hawaii and will fly aboard an agency Gulfstream III aircraft during the re-entry of Mission Possible over the Pacific Ocean.
“The data will provide The Exploration Company with a little bit of redundancy and a different perspective — a decoupled data package, if you will — from their onboard sensors,” said Scott.
From the Gulfstream, SCIFLI will have the spectrometer and an ultra-high-definition telescope trained on Mission Possible. The observation may be challenging since the team will be tracking the capsule against the bright daytime sky. Researchers expect to be able to acquire the capsule shortly after entry interface, the point at roughly 200,000 feet, where the atmosphere becomes thick enough to begin interacting with a capsule, producing compressive effects such as heating, a shock layer, and the emission of photons, or light.
Real-world measurements made by the SCIFLI team help NASA researchers refine their models, meaning better performance for sustained flight, higher safety margins for crew returning from the Moon or Mars, or landing more mass safely while exploring other planets.Carey Scott
SCIFLI Capability Lead
In addition to spectrometer data on Mission Possible’s thermal protection system, SCIFLI will capture imagery of the parachute system opening. First, a small drogue chute deploys to slow the capsule from supersonic to subsonic, followed by the deployment of a main parachute. Lastly, cloud-cover permitting, the team plans to image splashdown in the Pacific, which will help a recovery vessel reach the capsule as quickly as possible.
If flying over the ocean and capturing imagery of a small capsule as it zips through the atmosphere during the day sounds difficult, it is. But this mission, like all SCIFLI’s assignments, has been carefully modeled, choreographed, and rehearsed in the months and weeks leading up to the mission. There will even be a full-dress rehearsal in the days just before launch.
Not that there aren’t always a few anxious moments right as the entry interface is imminent and the team is looking out for its target. According to Scott, once the target is acquired, the SCIFLI team has its procedures nailed down to a — pardon the pun — science.
“We rehearse, and we rehearse, and we rehearse until it’s almost memorized,” he said.
Ari Haven, left, asset coodinator for SCIFLI’s support of Mission Possible, and Carey Scott, principal engineer for the mission, in front of the G-III aircraft the team will fly on.Credit: NASA/Carey ScottNASA/Carey Scott
The Exploration Company, headquartered in Munich, Germany, and Bordeaux,
France, enlisted NASA’s support through a reimbursable Space Act Agreement and will use SCIFLI data to advance future capsule designs.
“Working with NASA on this mission has been a real highlight for our team. It shows what’s possible when people from different parts of the world come together with a shared goal,” said Najwa Naimy, chief program officer at The Exploration Company. “What the SCIFLI team is doing to spot and track our capsule in broad daylight, over the open ocean, is incredibly impressive. We’re learning from each other, building trust, and making real progress together.”
NASA Langley is known for its expertise in engineering, characterizing, and developing spacecraft systems for entry, descent, and landing. The Gulfstream III aircraft is operated by the Flight Operations Directorate at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
Share Details Last Updated Jun 19, 2025 EditorJoe AtkinsonContactJoe Atkinsonjoseph.s.atkinson@nasa.govLocationNASA Langley Research Center Related Terms Explore More 4 min read NASA Tech to Measure Heat, Strain in Hypersonic Flight Article 22 hours ago 4 min read Career Exploration: Using Ingenuity and Innovation to Create ‘Memory Metals’ Article 2 days ago 3 min read NASA Engineers Simulate Lunar Lighting for Artemis III Moon Landing Article 2 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
Humans in Space
Climate Change
Solar System
NASA to Gather In-Flight Imagery of Commercial Test Capsule Re-Entry
A NASA team specializing in collecting imagery-based engineering datasets from spacecraft during launch and reentry is supporting a European aerospace company’s upcoming mission to return a subscale demonstration capsule from space.
NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) team supports a broad range of mission needs across the agency, including Artemis, science missions like OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Regolith Explorer), and NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The SCIFLI team also supports other commercial space efforts, helping to develop and strengthen public-private partnerships as NASA works to advance exploration, further cooperation, and open space to more science, people, and opportunities.
Later this month, SCIFLI intends to gather data on The Exploration Company’s Mission Possible capsule as it returns to Earth following the launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. One of the key instruments SCIFLI will employ is a spectrometer that detects light radiating from the capsule’s surface, which researchers can use to determine the surface temperature of the spacecraft. Traditionally, much of this information comes from advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling of what happens when objects of various sizes, shapes, and materials enter different atmospheres, such as those on Earth, Mars, or Venus.
“While very powerful, there is still some uncertainty in these Computational Fluid Dynamics models. Real-world measurements made by the SCIFLI team help NASA researchers refine their models, meaning better performance for sustained flight, higher safety margins for crew returning from the Moon or Mars, or landing more mass safely while exploring other planets,” said Carey Scott, SCIFLI capability lead at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
A rendering of a space capsule from The Exploration Company re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.Image courtesy of The Exploration CompanyThe Exploration Company
The SCIFLI team will be staged in Hawaii and will fly aboard an agency Gulfstream III aircraft during the re-entry of Mission Possible over the Pacific Ocean.
“The data will provide The Exploration Company with a little bit of redundancy and a different perspective — a decoupled data package, if you will — from their onboard sensors,” said Scott.
From the Gulfstream, SCIFLI will have the spectrometer and an ultra-high-definition telescope trained on Mission Possible. The observation may be challenging since the team will be tracking the capsule against the bright daytime sky. Researchers expect to be able to acquire the capsule shortly after entry interface, the point at roughly 200,000 feet, where the atmosphere becomes thick enough to begin interacting with a capsule, producing compressive effects such as heating, a shock layer, and the emission of photons, or light.
Real-world measurements made by the SCIFLI team help NASA researchers refine their models, meaning better performance for sustained flight, higher safety margins for crew returning from the Moon or Mars, or landing more mass safely while exploring other planets.Carey Scott
SCIFLI Capability Lead
In addition to spectrometer data on Mission Possible’s thermal protection system, SCIFLI will capture imagery of the parachute system opening. First, a small drogue chute deploys to slow the capsule from supersonic to subsonic, followed by the deployment of a main parachute. Lastly, cloud-cover permitting, the team plans to image splashdown in the Pacific, which will help a recovery vessel reach the capsule as quickly as possible.
If flying over the ocean and capturing imagery of a small capsule as it zips through the atmosphere during the day sounds difficult, it is. But this mission, like all SCIFLI’s assignments, has been carefully modeled, choreographed, and rehearsed in the months and weeks leading up to the mission. There will even be a full-dress rehearsal in the days just before launch.
Not that there aren’t always a few anxious moments right as the entry interface is imminent and the team is looking out for its target. According to Scott, once the target is acquired, the SCIFLI team has its procedures nailed down to a — pardon the pun — science.
“We rehearse, and we rehearse, and we rehearse until it’s almost memorized,” he said.
Ari Haven, left, asset coodinator for SCIFLI’s support of Mission Possible, and Carey Scott, principal engineer for the mission, in front of the G-III aircraft the team will fly on.Credit: NASA/Carey ScottNASA/Carey Scott
The Exploration Company, headquartered in Munich, Germany, and Bordeaux,
France, enlisted NASA’s support through a reimbursable Space Act Agreement and will use SCIFLI data to advance future capsule designs.
“Working with NASA on this mission has been a real highlight for our team. It shows what’s possible when people from different parts of the world come together with a shared goal,” said Najwa Naimy, chief program officer at The Exploration Company. “What the SCIFLI team is doing to spot and track our capsule in broad daylight, over the open ocean, is incredibly impressive. We’re learning from each other, building trust, and making real progress together.”
NASA Langley is known for its expertise in engineering, characterizing, and developing spacecraft systems for entry, descent, and landing. The Gulfstream III aircraft is operated by the Flight Operations Directorate at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
Share Details Last Updated Jun 19, 2025 EditorJoe AtkinsonContactJoe Atkinsonjoseph.s.atkinson@nasa.govLocationNASA Langley Research Center Related Terms Explore More 4 min read NASA Tech to Measure Heat, Strain in Hypersonic Flight Article 1 day ago 4 min read Career Exploration: Using Ingenuity and Innovation to Create ‘Memory Metals’ Article 2 days ago 3 min read NASA Engineers Simulate Lunar Lighting for Artemis III Moon Landing Article 2 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASAMissions
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DIP Workshop Series 3: DIP for Consumers
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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA / DIP StartFebruary 23, 2022 at 10:00 AM EDTEnd
February 23, 2022 at 12:00 PM EST Workshop Series: What It’s About
The Digital Information Platform (DIP) workshop series intends to provide a deeper dive and a closer look at some of the core features being developed by the DIP sub-project under ATM-X.
These workshops will give insight into DIP development, technology, and assumptions as well as providing a forum for engaging with the DIP team to pose questions and provide feedback on proposed designs. Engagement with the broader aviation community is a critical component to success of the DIP sub-project!
There will be several workshops within this series spanning a variety of topics. Participants are encouraged to sign up for any workshop topics they feel they could contribute to or provide feedback on.
Please keep an eye on the DIP homepage, under the upcoming events section, for future announcements of additional workshop topics!
Workshop #3: DIP for Flight Operators and ConsumersThis workshop will cover topics related to Service Providers. Participants will get a look at how the DIP architecture supports the onboarding process as well as how NASA services are planned to be made available via the platform.
The DIP for Service Providers is intended to cover how DIP was envisioned with regards to the following:
- Consumer Onboarding
- How to find and invoke services
- Showcase Demos
- Data integration services
- Data analytics using ML/AI technologies
- Progression of CDDR capabilities
- Performance Metrics
- Tech Dev Plan and Schedule updates
- Q/A
Participants interested in partnering with DIP and consuming services from the DIP platform are highly encouraged to attend this workshop. This is a unique opportunity for the aviation community to provide feedback and input on how this platform is structured to meet your needs.
Data and service consumers as well as data and service providers are encouraged to attend this workshop to provide their feedback and input for DIP development.
Participants looking to gain insight into upcoming DIP demonstrations or to learn more about DIP are encouraged to attend this workshop.
Resources- Presentation slides
- Session Recording
- Request materials via email (arc-dip-ext@mail.nasa.gov)
Digital Information Platform Events
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Share Details Last Updated Jun 18, 2025 EditorLillian GipsonContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related TermsCareer Exploration: Using Ingenuity and Innovation to Create ‘Memory Metals’
Othmane Benafan is a NASA engineer whose work is literally reshaping how we use aerospace materials — he creates metals that can shape shift. Benafan, a materials research engineer at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, creates metals called shape memory alloys that are custom-made to solve some of the most pressing challenges of space exploration and aviation.
“A shape memory alloy starts off just like any other metal, except it has this wonderful property: it can remember shapes,” Benafan says. “You can bend it, you can deform it out of shape, and once you heat it, it returns to its shape.”
An alloy is a metal that’s created by combining two or more metallic elements. Shape memory alloys are functional metals. Unlike structural metals, which are fixed metal shapes used for construction or holding heavy objects, functional metals are valued for unique properties that enable them to carry out specific actions.
NASA often needs materials with special capabilities for use in aircraft and spacecraft components, spacesuits, and hardware designed for low-Earth orbit, the Moon, or Mars. But sometimes, the ideal material doesn’t exist. That’s where engineers like Benafan come in.
“We have requirements, and we come up with new materials to fulfill that function,” he said. The whole process begins with pen and paper, theories, and research to determine exactly what properties are needed and how those properties might be created. Then he and his teammates are ready to start making a new metal.
“It’s like a cooking show,” Benafan says. “We collect all the ingredients — in my case, the metals would be elements from the periodic table, like nickel, titanium, gold, copper, etc. — and we mix them together in quantities that satisfy the formula we came up with. And then we cook it.”
Othmane Benafan, a materials research engineer, develops a shape memory alloy in a laboratory at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.These elemental ingredients are melted in a container called a crucible, then poured into the required shape, such as a cylinder, plate, or tube. From there, it’s subjected to temperatures and pressures that shape and train the metal to change the way its atoms are arranged every time it’s heated or cooled.
Shape memory alloys created by Benafan and his colleagues have already proven useful in several applications. For example, the Shape Memory Alloy Reconfigurable Technology Vortex Generator (SMART VG) being tested on Boeing aircraft uses the torque generated by a heat-induced twisting motion to raise and lower a small, narrow piece of hardware installed on aircraft wings, resulting in reduced drag during cruise conditions. In space, the 2018 Advanced eLectrical Bus (ALBus) CubeSat technology demonstration mission included the use of a shape memory alloy to deploy the small satellite’s solar arrays and antennas. And Glenn’s Shape Memory Alloy Rock Splitters technology benefits mining and geothermal applications on Earth by breaking apart rocks without harming the surrounding environment. The shape memory alloy device is wrapped in a heater and inserted into a predrilled hole in the rock, and when the heater is activated, the alloy expands, creating intense pressure that drives the rock apart.
Benafan’s fascination with shape memory alloys started after he immigrated to the United States from Morocco at age 19. He began attending night classes at the Valencia Community College (now Valencia College), then went on to graduate from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. A professor did a demonstration on shape memory alloys and that changed Benafan’s life forever. Now, Benafan enjoys helping others understand related topics.
“Outside of work, one of the things I like to do most is make technology approachable to someone who may be interested but may not be experienced with it just yet. I do a lot of community outreach through camps or lectures in schools,” he said.
He believes a mentality of curiosity and a willingness to fail and learn are essential for aspiring engineers and encourages others to pursue their ideas and keep trying.
“You know, we grow up with that mindset of falling and standing up and trying again, and that same thing applies here,” Benafan said. “The idea is to be a problem solver. What are you trying to contribute? What problem do you want to solve to help humanity, to help Earth?”
To learn more about the wide variety of exciting and unexpected jobs at NASA, check out the Surprisingly STEM video series. Explore More 3 min read NASA Engineers Simulate Lunar Lighting for Artemis III Moon Landing Article 8 hours ago 3 min read NASA Announces Winners of 2025 Student Launch Competition Article 1 day ago 2 min read NASA Seeks Commercial Feedback on Space Communication Solutions Article 1 day agoNASA Welcomes Community, Astronauts to Marshall’s 65th Anniversary Celebration July 19
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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center invites the community to help celebrate the center’s 65th anniversary during a free public event noon to 5 p.m. CDT Saturday, July 19, at The Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, Alabama.
NASAMarshall, along with its partners and collaborators, will fill the amphitheater with space exhibits, music, food vendors, and hands-on activities for all ages. The summer celebration will mark 65 years of innovation and exploration, not only for Marshall, but for Huntsville and other North Alabama communities.
“Our success has been enabled by the continuous support we receive from Huntsville and the North Alabama communities, and this is an opportunity to thank community members and share some of our exciting mission activities,” Joseph Pelfrey, director of NASA Marshall, said.
Some NASA astronauts from Expedition 72 who recently returned from missions aboard the International Space Station will participate in the celebratory event. The Expedition 72 crew dedicated more than 1,000 combined hours to scientific research and technology demonstrations aboard the space station and crew members in attendance will share their experiences in space.
The official portrait of the International Space Station’s Expedition 72 crew. At the top (from left) are Roscosmos cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin, NASA astronaut and space station Commander Suni Williams, and NASA astronaut and Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore. In the middle row are Roscosmos cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Ivan Vagner and NASA astronaut and Flight Engineer Don Pettit. In the bottom row are Roscosmos cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Aleksandr Gorbunov and NASA astronaut and Flight Engineer Nick Hague. Some NASA astronauts from Expedition 72 will participate in Marshall Space Flight Center’s 65th anniversary celebration during a free public event noon to 5 p.m. CDT Saturday, July 19, at The Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, Alabama.NASA/Bill Stafford and Robert Markowitz“Every day, our Marshall team works to advance human spaceflight and discovery, such as working with our astronauts on the International Space Station.” Pelfrey said. “We are honored Expedition 72 crew members will join us to help commemorate our 65-year celebration.”
The anniversary event will also include remarks from Pelfrey, other special presentations, and fun for the whole family.
Learn more about this free community event at:
https://www.nasa.gov/marshall65
Lance D. Davis
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-640-9065
lance.d.davis@nasa.gov
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From Space to Soil: How NASA Sees Forests
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From Space to Soil: How NASA Sees ForestsNASA uses satellite lidar technology to study Earth’s forests, key carbon sinks. The GEDI mission maps forest height and biomass from the International Space Station, while ICESat-2 fills polar data gaps. Together, they enable a first-of-its-kind global biomass map, guiding smarter forest conservation and carbon tracking.
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NASA Engineers Simulate Lunar Lighting for Artemis III Moon Landing
Better understanding the lunar lighting environment will help NASA prepare astronauts for the harsh environment Artemis III Moonwalkers will experience on their mission. NASA’s Artemis III mission will build on earlier test flights and add new capabilities with the human landing system and advanced spacesuits to send the first astronauts to explore the lunar South Pole and prepare humanity to go to Mars.
Using high-intensity lighting and low-fidelity mock-ups of a lunar lander, lunar surface, and lunar rocks, NASA engineers are simulating the Moon’s environment at the Flat Floor Facility to study and experience the extreme lighting condition. The facility is located at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
NASA engineers inside the Flat Floor Facility at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, mimic lander inspection and assessment tasks future Artemis astronauts may do during Artemis III. Lights are positioned at a low angle to replicate the strong shadows that are cast across the lunar South Pole. NASA/Charles Beason“The goal is really to understand how shadows will affect lander visual inspection and assessment efforts throughout a future crewed mission,” said Emma Jaynes, test engineer at the facility. “Because the Flat Floor Facility is similar to an inverted air hockey table, NASA and our industry partners can rearrange large, heavy structures with ease – and inspect the shadows’ effects from multiple angles, helping to ensure mission success and astronaut safety for Artemis III.”
Data and analysis from testing at NASA are improving models Artemis astronauts will use in preparation for lander and surface operations on the Moon during Artemis III. The testing also is helping cross-agency teams evaluate various tools astronauts may use.
The 86-foot-long by 44-foot-wide facility at NASA is one of the largest, flattest, and most stable air-bearing floors in the world, allowing objects to move across the floor without friction on a cushion of air.
Test teams use large, 12-kilowatt and 6-kilowatt lights to replicate the low-angle, high contrast conditions of the lunar South Pole. Large swaths of fabric are placed on top of the epoxy floor to imitate the reflective properties of lunar regolith. All the mock-ups are placed on air bearings, allowing engineers to easily move and situate structures on the floor.
The Flat Floor Facility is an air-bearing floor, providing full-scale simulation capabilities for lunar surface systems by simulating zero gravity in two dimensions. Wearing low-fidelity materials, test engineers can understand how the extreme lighting of the Moon’s South Pole could affect surface operations during Artemis III. NASA/Charles Beason“The Sun is at a permanent low angle at the South Pole of the Moon, meaning astronauts will experience high contrasts between the lit and shadowed regions,” Jaynes said. “The color white can become blinding in direct sunlight, while the shadows behind a rock could stretch for feet and ones behind a lander could extend for miles.”
The laboratory is large enough for people to walk around and experience this phenomenon with the naked eye, adding insight to what NASA calls ‘human in-the-loop testing.
NASA is working with SpaceX to develop the company’s Starship Human Landing System to safely send Artemis astronauts to the Moon’s surface and back to lunar orbit for Artemis III.
Through the Artemis campaign, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars – for the benefit of all.
For more information about Artemis missions, visit:
News Media ContactCorinne Beckinger
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256.544.0034
corinne.m.beckinger@nasa.gov
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Gateway Lunar Space StationBuilt with international and industry partners, Gateway will be humanity’s first space station around the Moon. It will support a…
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Training for the Moo(n)
Training for the Moo(n)
A curious cow watches as NASA astronauts Andre Douglas and Kate Rubins perform a simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 14, 2024, in preparation for NASA’s historic Artemis III Moon landing mission. Flight controllers and scientists guided activities during the week-long simulation from mission control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Tests like this are critical for NASA’s Artemis science teams because they provide an opportunity to test integration with mission control. In the Science Evaluation Room at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, lunar scientists, geologists, and experts in image analysis and sample science direct and evaluate lunar surface science and geologic observations. They assess and adapt moonwalk traverses, communicating any feedback or changes with the science officer on the flight control team. The science officer conveys those messages to the Capcom officer, who then shares insights and recommendations with the crew during missions.
Learn why training like this is critical to mission success.
Image credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel
