Jun 8, 2015

Breaking: NASA finally launches flying saucer like prototype to edge of space - June 8, 2015

NASA has launched “Low Density Supersonic Decelerator” (LDSD), known simply as a ‘flying saucer.’, as part of its step towards a manned mission to Mars.

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LDSD went up on Monday from the US Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii.

After the launch, it will take LDSD around three hours to reach an altitude of 120,000 feet.

This is known as test altitude, and about 45 minutes after the balloon reaches this height a solid-fueled rocket engine will power up and fire the test vehicle at Mach 4 up to 180,000 feet, the edge of the stratosphere.

The vehicle will then slow down to Mach 3 and it will deploy the Supersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (SIAD).

The SIAD initiates a further deceleration to a sedate Mach 2.4, the maximum speed of most fighter jets, and then the test vehicle will deploy a supersonic parachute, which will bring it down to a controlled impact on water.

The reason for the mission is to test two kinds of braking technologies, which will enable payloads to be landed safely on the surface of MARS or any other planets with atmospheres.

The launch was originally scheduled for June 2, but was delayed due to unfavorable ocean conditions, and then was delayed again on June 4.

The SIAD system was tested last year and it performed without any hitches, but the parachute did not work. It’s now had various improvements and redesigns, and it will be the primary focus of today’s test flight.

"This year's test is centered on how our newly-designed supersonic parachute will perform. We think we have a great design ready for the challenge, but the proof is in the pudding and the pudding will be made live for everyone to see," said Mark Adler, project manager for LDSD at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

http://rt.com/usa/265816-flying-saucer-nasa-launch/