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DIP Events
1 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Getty Images
November 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) Start
April 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) Start
August 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 Start
November 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) Start
January 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
Humans in Space
Climate Change
Solar System
DIP Workshop Series 3: DIP for Consumers
2 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) NASA / DIP Start
February 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 Terms