For the third time in a week, NASA has delayed the launch of a "flying saucer" that is part of its work to develop a vehicle to deliver goods—and maybe astronauts—to the surface of Mars.
The unique, doughnut-shaped Low Density Supersonic Decelerator, or LDSD, may resemble something from science fiction, but it is actually used to test technology that could help make Mars landings one day.
The red planet's thin atmosphere makes it difficult to land heavy loads there, and NASA needs a more advanced parachute to land humans on the planet.
Poor weather grounded the craft Thursday for the third day in a row. The launch, the second of three, was originally scheduled for Tuesday. Now, NASA says it will "evaluate the next available launch opportunity, Friday, June 5th."
The planned launch will see NASA send a balloon 36,576 metres into the skies over Hawaii, where it will release the LDSD, and the saucer can take flight.
According to NASA, four small rocket motors should "spin stabilize" the saucer after its release from the balloon, at which point a "solid-fueled rocket engine" should thrust the vehicle to the edge of the atmosphere at a speed of Mach 4, or approximately 4,900 kph.
From there, the craft is supposed to launch an inflatable decelerator to slow itself down. Then it should deploy a "supersonic ringsail parachute" to further slow it down as it approaches the water. In the last launch, the parachute only partially unfurled and the craft made a hard landing in the ocean.
According to the agency, the test "will simulate the supersonic entry and descent speeds at which the spacecraft would be travelling through the Martian atmosphere."
NASA expects the craft will land in the water about 40 minutes after being released from the balloon. The balloon launch itself could take a few hours.
When the launch does occur, those interested in watching can tune in to NASA television.
With files from The Associated Press
