News Archive / Tagged: LDSD

• Partial ‘success’ for NASA’s LDSD on its second launch

  Joe LatrellJune 8th, 2015

  For the second time, NASA has successfully launched the Low-Density Supersonic Demonstrator (LDSD ) from Kauai, Hawaii, but the supersonic parachute failed to fully deploy. The mission of this flight was to test a new technique for delivering large payloads to the surfaces of planets such as Mars or Venus. The spacecraft was carried to launch […]

• June 4 LDSD launch attempt scrubbed

  Jason RhianJune 4th, 2015

  Today’s planned launch of the Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD ) test craft has been scrubbed due to inclement weather. Given that the first phase of the mission involves the lofting of a helium-filled balloon and the recover of the craft will be in the Pacific Ocean, the rain showers that moved into the region off […]

• Second test flight of NASA’s LDSD ‘flying saucer’ – delayed

  Joe LatrellJune 2nd, 2015

  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has delayed the second flight of its Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) until at least June 4. The cause of the delay was not a technical issue with either the vehicle or its high altitude balloon launcher. The seas in and around the splashdown area are too rough […]

• NASA’s LDSD ‘UFO’ readied for its second flight

  Jason RhianMay 27th, 2015

  NASA’s ‘UFO’ flying saucer – which has the more-official name of the Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator or “LDSD” – is being readied for its second test flight from the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) located in Kauai, Hawaii. If everything continues to go as planned, NASA will send the odd-looking craft aloft via a balloon […]

• NASA’s LDSD ‘flying saucer’ undergoes spin test in lead up to June test flight

  Matthew KuhnsApril 2nd, 2015

  PASADENA, Ca — SpaceFlight Insider was provided with a review of NASA’s Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD ) test article with other members of the press during a media event held on March 31 at a clean room located at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. The flying saucer will be delivered to “near space” after lifting […]

• NASA’s LDSD successfully completes first test flight despite parachute failure

  James TuttenJune 28th, 2014

  The first major flight test for NASA’s Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) occurred today, Saturday, June 28 from the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. Though there were technical issues with a malfunctioning parachute, the test’s primary components were successfully deployed. 

• NASA’s LDSD flying saucer slated for first near-space flight

  Britt RawcliffeJune 27th, 2014

  NASA’s rocket-powered test vehicle is scheduled to take to the skies for its first near-space test from U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) located on Kauai, Hawaii within the next few days. The Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project’s flying saucer appearance makes it look like it’s straight out of a Steven Spielberg film. Planned to test […]

• NASA’s LDSD is grounded due to unfavorable weather conditions

  SpaceFlight InsiderJune 13th, 2014

  Due to weather constraints, NASA’s new flying saucer-shaped, Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) proposed launch has been canceled. In a media teleconference yesterday, June 12, Mark Alder (LDSD Project Manager) and Ian Clark (LDSD Principal Investigator) explained the need for a delay and outlined the project’s next steps.

• NASA’s Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) is ready for testing

  SpaceFlight InsiderJune 5th, 2014

  NASA has developed a new, innovative vehicle capable of landing larger payloads in environments such as the thin Martian atmosphere. The Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) is a saucer-shaped, rocket-powered vehicle is now complete and ready for testing at the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii.