NASA to test supersonic parachutes in flying saucer launch

June 03, 2015 04:05

The US space agency plans to try out the largest parachute ever deployed today during a flying saucer launch that will test new technologies for landing on Mars.

The test flight of the flying saucer, known as the Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator, will be broadcast live on NASA's website beginning at 1:30 pm (2300 IST).

Since the atmosphere on Mars is so thin, any parachute that helps a heavy, fast-moving spacecraft touch down needs to be extra strong.

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