NASA Test Plane Landing on Mars

The U.S. space agency NASA successfully tested a new technology that can be used to land a spacecraft on Mars.  

A helium balloon launched experimental saucer-shaped aircraft called Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) at speed 

supersonic up to 55 kilometers above the earth, where the environment is similar to the thin Martian atmosphere.  

A donut-shaped shield and a large parachute opened to slow the speed of the flying saucer before landing in the Pacific Ocean. It is expected that this system will allow the spacecraft heavier and even astronauts to land on Mars. 

launch conducted from Hawaii was delayed six times this month due to high winds. NASA engineers said before the trial that they will collect valuable data to determine whether the LDSD technology can work well or not. The spacecraft is expected to return to Hawaii next year to conduct two further test flights.

Source : Republika