After a series of weather-related delays, NASA has successfully tested its revolutionary “flying saucer” that will help land heavier payloads on the surface of long-distance planets, including Mars.
NASA’s Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project completed its second flight test when the saucer-shaped craft splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Kauai on Monday.
The test vehicle was carried by balloon to about 120,000 feet.
After reaching a height of 180,000 feet, a doughnut-shaped airbag successfully inflated around the saucer for its descent to earth.
A huge parachute, however, only partially opened. The parachute shred on deployment in what NASA engineers described as “partial chute”.
This flight test was the second of three planned for the project.
The LDSD supports payloads of two to three tonnes, doubling the current capabilities.
The mission will also allow access to more of the planet’s surface by enabling landings at higher-altitude sites.
