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NASA’s ‘Flying Saucer’ Aiming For Wednesday Test Flight

By  //  June 10, 2014

craft will be used in future explorations

ABOVE VIDEO: NASA is testing a supersonic parachute under Mars-like conditions for future exploration.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Mission managers have decided to attempt a Wednesday launch in Hawaii of the high altitude balloon carrying NASA’s Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD).

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NASA’s flying saucer-shaped test vehicle is ready to take to the skies from the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, for its first engineering shakeout flight. (NASA.gov Image)

Managers will assess the weather today and decide if a Wednesday launch attempt will be made.

This experimental flight test is designed to investigate breakthrough technologies to benefit future Mars missions, including those involving human exploration.