NASA has canceled its supposed launching of the latest flying-saucer shaped rocket in Hawaii due to the unfavorable wind condition.
The Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator project, or also known as the LDSD was already scheduled to take off in between June 3-13 of this year at the US Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), but one of the factors needed for a successful liftoff was not helpful to the project. During the day of the supposed launching of NASA's flying saucer-like rocket in Hawaii has been halted by the day's wind condition which is very necessary.
Project manager for NASA's flying saucer launch in Hawaii said that mid-level winds between 15,000-60,000 feet is needed for the object to be taken away from the area; however, as the day of the launching began to approach, proper wind condition was not observed.
"We needed the mid-level winds between 15,000 and 60,000 feet to take the balloon away from the island. While there were a few days that were very close, none of the days had the proper wind conditions." Project manager Mark Adler said.
NBC News previously reported that the LDSD test is aiming to duplicate the conditions that Mars-bound spacecraft would face during atmospheric entry and descent. Its ground-based tests already showed that the system works, but NASA reportedly wants to test the flying saucer vehicle in a higher altitude. Kauai, Hawaii has been selected as the spot for launching since research showed that it provides the proper wind condition necessary for the balloon to be driven away from the populated areas.
After the launching's cancelation, the agency is still looking for a new possibility of launching later this month. If the test luckily takes place in Hawaii, NASA's flying saucer spacecraft will be carried at an altitude of 120,000 feet. The fueled rocket engine will then blast the vehicle up to a height of 180,000 feet with a descent of Mach 3.8-4.
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