This test was the first of three planned for the LDSD project, developed to evaluate new landing technologies for future Mars missions. While this initial test was designed to determine the flying ability of the vehicle, it also deployed two new landing technologies as a bonus.
Hours after the June 28, 2014, test of NASA’s Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator over the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range, the saucer-shaped test vehicle is lifted aboard the Kahana recovery vessel. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Two members of the Navy’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal team swim towards the pilot ballute (a combination balloon and parachute used for braking at high altitudes and speeds) that was used to deploy the parachute. The recovery vessel Mana’o II is in the background. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The first “flown” test vehicle of Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator project relaxes aboard the recovery vessel Kahana. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Hours after its successful engineering flight, the first test vehicle for NASA’s Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator project is lifted aboard the recovery vessel Kahana. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
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