After scrapping all of its planned test launches earlier this month, NASA will today attempt to release its Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) from the edge of space. The rocket-powered, flying saucer–shaped landing vehicle will then return to Earth on a dramatic path through Hawaii’s skies. Watch it live, here!
https://gizmodo.com/this-flying-saucer-will-be-plummeting-through-the-skies-1578735977
https://www.ustream.tv/embed/recorded/5808990?v=3&wmode=direct
Via NASA:
The Saturday balloon launch window extends from approximately 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. HST (11:15 a.m. to 12-noon PDT). The balloon will take approximately 2-3 hours to achieve float conditions. Shortly thereafter, the test vehicle will be released from the balloon and the test will begin.
Pictured here is a timeline events for the planetary landing test:
Principle investigator Ian Clark said earlier this month that he and his team were “very optimistic,” and “hoping to test the vehicle at the end of the month” – so fingers crossed, everyone!
