Artist’s concept of test vehicle for NASA’s Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator, designed to test landing technologies for future Mars missions. (Image via NASA/JPL-Caltech)

NASA will launch a test flight of a flying saucer-shaped vehicle from the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii at 1 p.m. EDT today.

The Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator project is a step toward a manned Mars landing. The blast-off had originally been scheduled for last week, but was cancelled due to bad weather.

The mission will be testing breakthrough technology that allows large payloads to be safely landed on the surface of Mars or other planets with atmospheres. The technology will also allow landings on higher-altitude sites.

During the test, the 15 foot wide, 7,000 pound saucer is expected to undergo a “spin-table” test.

Viewers can watch the flying saucer launch live at www.ustream.tv/NASAJPL2. The live launch will allow the public to see the same video the project manager sees at the NASA lab in Pasadena, California.

“This year’s test is centered on how our newly-designed supersonic parachute will perform,” stated Mark Adler, LDSD project manager. “We think we have a great design ready for the challenge, but the proof is in the pudding and the pudding will be made live for everyone to see.”

Viewers will get to watch for approximately 30 minutes after launch, followed by a break in the action of two to five hours before the rocket-powered portion of the test starts.

During a flight last year, the vehicle worked well but the parachute did not. Improvements have been made since, and NASA hopes the largest supersonic parachute ever flown will do better this year.

Source: WANE