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NASA demonstrated new heat shield technologies by deploying 12 small experimental capsules from a Northrop Grumman cargo resupply mission after it undocked from the International Space Station. The test is designed to evaluate heat shield designs intended to protect astronauts returning from future Moon and Mars missions. The unusual 'taking out the trash' approach allowed NASA to gather reentry data cheaply using disposable capsules, supporting development of safer spacecraft for deep space human exploration.