NASA HIAD

Name: NASA HIAD
Author: NASA

NASA

DOCUMENTED

Published in academic literature

For:General Public & EnthusiastsKids & Youth

Free

Download on the App Store

App Summary

The NASA HIAD app is an educational game that challenges players to engineer and pilot an inflatable spacecraft, simulating the complex variables of atmospheric re-entry. The simulation is grounded in the associated research, which models the critical flight performance characteristics—such as heating and structural loads—required for successful entry, descent, and landing missions. By translating these aerospace principles into an interactive experience, the app allows users to explore the engineering concepts that, as the authors note, make HIAD technology a viable solution for a wide range of planetary and Earth-return applications.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

The NASA HIAD simulation challenges players to execute atmospheric re-entry using a Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator. The interface facilitates control over key mission parameters, including spacecraft configuration, thruster maneuvers for de-orbiting, and aeroshell inflation timing. Players must navigate extreme heat and aerodynamic forces while accounting for wind to steer the vehicle to a designated landing zone. The simulation progresses through four distinct levels, each presenting increasingly complex engineering and physics-based challenges for successful payload recovery.

Evidence & Research Context

Associated research describes the Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) as a NASA-developed technology for challenging entry, descent, and landing (EDL) missions.
The technology has been validated through ground-based testing and a successful Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) from orbital velocities.
Mission application studies leverage modeling and analysis to quantify the benefits of HIAD infusion and define the severe heating and structural loads the system must withstand.
The concept's utility has been established for potential missions involving Mars exploration, cislunar return, Earth aerocapture, and launch vehicle component recovery.

Intended Use & Scope

This simulation is intended for students and the general public as an educational tool to illustrate the core engineering principles of atmospheric re-entry. Its primary utility is to provide a conceptual understanding of the physics and operational challenges involved in using inflatable decelerators. The application is not a professional mission design or analysis tool and does not substitute for formal engineering instruction.

Studies & Publications

2 publications

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Non-Evaluative Reference

Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator Earth-based Applications

Dutta et al. (2025) · AIAA SciTech Forum

Referenced in academic literature; no direct evaluation of the app

Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators technology has been developed by NASA to enable challenging entry, descent, and landing missions at various planetary destinations. In the last two decades, HIAD technology has been developed through a series of ground tests and flight tests, culminating in the 2022 Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator flight demonstration of a 6 m diameter vehicle from orbital velocities. Past studies have considered application of HIAD for human-scale missions, especially return from the Moon or human-class missions to Mars. However, recent commercial interest in the HIAD technology following LOFTID's success shows HIAD applications are possible for cislunar return, Earth aerocapture, return from low Earth orbit, and even launch vehicle component recovery. This paper describes the flight performance range for these new, Earth-based applications.

Non-Evaluative Reference

The Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) Mission Applications Study

Bose et al. (2013) · AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Conference

Referenced in academic literature; no direct evaluation of the app

The objective of the HIAD Mission Applications Study is to quantify the benefits of HIAD infusion to the concept of operations of high priority exploration missions. Results of the study will identify the range of mission concepts ideally suited to HIADs and provide mission-pull to associated technology development programs while further advancing operational concepts associated with HIAD technology. A summary of Year 1 modeling and analysis results is presented covering missions focusing on Earth and Mars-based applications. Recommended HIAD scales are presented for near term and future mission opportunities and the associated environments (heating and structural loads) are described.

In the Media

HIAD Web Game By NASA

NASA developed the HIAD web game to teach players about the challenges of developing inflatable spacecraft technology, using a simulation where players must successfully land a Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator from the International Space Station. The game challenges players to "undock from the ISS and use thruster control to steer the spacecraft towards the desired de-orbit point" while managing atmospheric re-entry and wind conditions. Players can customize the HIAD vehicle's performance characteristics to improve their landing results at target ground points on Earth.

IrelandstechnologyblogRead article

New NASA Space Technology App Educates Users At Hypersonic Speeds

NASA developed the HIAD app to educate users about its Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator project, using an interactive game that simulates landing inflatable spacecraft. "This game will help introduce new generations to NASA technologies that may change the way we explore other worlds," said Mary Beth Wusk, HIAD project manager at NASA's Langley Research Center. The free app challenges players to successfully guide inflatable heat shields through atmospheric reentry across four levels of engineering mastery.

PhysRead article