NASA’s Mars ‘flying saucer’ is ready for its next test
If you need something to watch that’s not Apple related, the Low Density Supersonic Decelerator(LDSD) that NASA hopes will help Mars missions land safely is about to undertake its next test. After more than a week of delays caused by bad weather, the saucer shaped vehicle will launch at about 1:30PM ET. After that, it’s in for a three hour wait to reach an altitude of 120,000 feet before it’s dropped and the rocket-powered portion of its trip will begin. Once it reaches Mach 3, the Decelerator’s inflatable “drag devices” will deploy, slowing things down enough for it to deploy a parachute, and then land in the ocean. Check out the live stream embedded after the break (plus a clip from its test last fall), and we’ll update you on its progress throughout the day.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/_Q5SQBC_e64?rel=0https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/9yRWhu0UGYw?rel=0
Filed under: Science
Source: NASA JPL (YouTube), LDSD
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