Technologies

NASA Heat Shield That Could Land Humans on Mars Goes for Wild Test Ride

The Loftid inflatable heat shield took a test ride from low-Earth orbit down to the Pacific Ocean.

NASA is a long way from shipping humans to the surface of Mars, but it’s busy preparing for that momentous day. On Thursday, the space agency conducted a flight test of a new inflatable heat shield design that could become a key component of a human landing system for the red planet.

Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (Loftid) is a demonstration of an aeroshell (a kind of heat shield) that can slow and protect a payload (like a rover or astronauts in a spacecraft) as it descends through a planet’s atmosphere. To test Loftid here on Earth, NASA sent it to space on board a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V that took off from California.

The rocket’s main mission was to deliver a weather satellite into orbit, but Loftid went along for the ride. It inflated into a flattened cone shape while in space. NASA once described Loftid as «a stack of orange inner tubes covered in a black tarp,» but that doesn’t do it justice. It uses high-tech materials to withstand conditions in space and the brutal heat of moving through the atmosphere.

It’s not easy coming back down to Earth. NASA estimated Loftid would reenter the atmosphere at 18,000 miles per hour (8 kilometers per second). ULA tweeted a clip of the Loftid separation showing it moving away and heading for its descent. It’s a spectacular view.

NASA shared a video of the aeroshell splashing down near Hawaii with a parachute lowering it down to the ocean.

An inflatable heat shield like Loftid could pack down small for long-distance transport across space. Current rigid designs (like the one used for NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover) are limited in size based on what can fit in a rocket. The inflatable shield would create more drag as it moves through Mars’ atmosphere, a process NASA likens to «a giant brake.» This means Loftid could help deliver larger and heavier payloads to the Martian surface.

The recovery crew fished Loftid out of the water. The aeroshell is about 20 feet (6 meters) in diameter. ULA CEO Tory Bruno shared a dramatic video of the recovery operation.

NASA will get to work on analyzing the heat shield’s performance based on sensor and camera data. That information will help evolve future versions of the design. One day, we may see a Loftid-style aeroshell in action someplace other than Earth.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Watch on Instagram
Watch on YouTube

Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im

Technologies

Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer

Summer Travel, Freedom, and Seamless Connectivity: Why Verum E-SIM Is Becoming the New Standard for Travelers

Summer is the peak season for vacations, long-distance trips, and new experiences. Millions of people travel abroad, explore new countries, plan adventures, and try to stay connected with family, work, and social media. And in the middle of all this comes a familiar question: how do you stay online without expensive roaming or the hassle of buying local SIM cards?

The answer is already here — eSIM.

Why eSIM Is So Convenient

eSIM (embedded SIM) is a built-in digital SIM card that lets you activate mobile internet without a physical card. All you need is an app — choose a plan and connect in just a couple of minutes.

No more:

* searching for local SIM cards at airports
* paying expensive roaming fees
* swapping physical SIMs every time you travel

Now your internet travels with you.

Internet in 150+ Countries

Modern eSIM solutions provide coverage in 150+ countries worldwide, helping tourists, freelancers, and business travelers stay connected almost anywhere on the planet.

Among the services offering these capabilities:

Verum E-SIM — https://esim.verum.im
World E-SIM — https://worldesim.me
USA E-SIM — https://usa.esim.verum.im
Euro E-SIM — https://euro.esim.verum.im
Canada E-SIM — https://canada.esim.verum.im
Balkan E-SIM — https://balkan.esim.verum.im
Ukraine E-SIM — https://ukraine.esim.verum.im
London E-SIM — https://london.esim.verum.im
E-SIM Africa — https://africa.esim.verum.im