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Nasa launches saucer-shaped vehicle to test technology for landing on Mars Nasa lands saucer-shaped vehicle in test of technology for landing on Mars
(about 17 hours later)
A saucer-shaped Nasa vehicle launched by balloon high into Earth's A saucer-shaped Nasa vehicle launched by balloon high into Earth's
atmosphere splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday, completing a atmosphere splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday, completing a
successful test of technology that could be used to land on Mars.successful test of technology that could be used to land on Mars.
Since the twin Viking spacecraft landed on the red planet in 1976, Nasa Since the twin Viking spacecraft landed on the red planet in 1976, Nasa
has relied on the same parachute design to slow landers and rovers afterhas relied on the same parachute design to slow landers and rovers after
piercing through the thin Martian atmosphere. piercing through the thin Martian atmosphere.
The $150m experimental flight tested a novel vehicle and a giant The $150m experimental flight tested a novel vehicle and a giant
parachute designed to deliver heavier spacecraft and eventually parachute designed to deliver heavier spacecraft and eventually
astronauts.astronauts.
Despite small problems such as the giant parachute not deploying fully, Nasa deemed the mission a success. "What we just saw was a really good test," said Nasa engineer Dan CoattaDespite small problems such as the giant parachute not deploying fully, Nasa deemed the mission a success. "What we just saw was a really good test," said Nasa engineer Dan Coatta
with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
Viewers around the world with an internet connection followed portions Viewers around the world with an internet connection followed portions
of the mission in real time thanks to cameras on board the vehicle that of the mission in real time thanks to cameras on board the vehicle that
beamed back low-resolution footage. After taking off at 11.40 am from the Pacific Missile Range Facility beamed back low-resolution footage. After taking off at 11.40 am from the Pacific Missile Range Facility
on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, the balloon boosted the disc-shaped on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, the balloon boosted the disc-shaped
vehicle over the Pacific. Its rocket motor then ignited, carrying the vehicle over the Pacific. Its rocket motor then ignited, carrying the
vehicle to 34 miles (55km) high at supersonic speeds.vehicle to 34 miles (55km) high at supersonic speeds.
The environment at that altitude is similar to the thin Martian atmosphere. The environment at that altitude is similar to the thin Martian atmosphere.
As the vehicle prepared to drop back the Earth, a tube around it As the vehicle prepared to drop back the Earth, a tube around it
expanded like a Hawaiian puffer fish, creating atmospheric drag to expanded like a Hawaiian puffer fish, creating atmospheric drag to
dramatically slow it down from Mach 4, or four times the speed of sound.dramatically slow it down from Mach 4, or four times the speed of sound.
Then the parachute unfurled and guided the vehicle to an ocean Then the parachute unfurled and guided the vehicle to an ocean
splashdown about three hours later. At 110 feet (33 meters) in diameter,splashdown about three hours later. At 110 feet (33 meters) in diameter,
the parachute is twice as big as the one that carried the one-tonne the parachute is twice as big as the one that carried the one-tonne
Curiosity rover through the Martian atmosphere in 2011.Curiosity rover through the Martian atmosphere in 2011.
The test was postponed six times because of high winds. Winds need to beThe test was postponed six times because of high winds. Winds need to be
calm so that the balloon does not stray into no-fly zones. calm so that the balloon does not stray into no-fly zones.
Engineers planned to analyze the data and conduct several more flights Engineers planned to analyze the data and conduct several more flights
next year before deciding whether to fly the vehicle and parachute on a next year before deciding whether to fly the vehicle and parachute on a
future Mars mission.future Mars mission.
"We want to test them here where it's cheaper before we send it to Mars "We want to test them here where it's cheaper before we send it to Mars
to make sure that it's going to work there," project manager Mark Adler to make sure that it's going to work there," project manager Mark Adler
of the Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory said during a pre-launch news of the Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory said during a pre-launch news
conference in Kauai in early June.conference in Kauai in early June.
The technology envelope needs to be pushed or else humanity won't be The technology envelope needs to be pushed or else humanity won't be
able to fly beyond the International Space Station in low-Earth orbit, able to fly beyond the International Space Station in low-Earth orbit,
said Michael Gazarik, head of space technology at NASA headquarters.said Michael Gazarik, head of space technology at NASA headquarters.
Technology development :is the surest path to Mars", Gazarik said at the briefing.Technology development :is the surest path to Mars", Gazarik said at the briefing.