NASA Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator Set To Lift Off

(Before It's News)

NASA/JPL

Mission managers are proceeding with preparations for a launch attempt on the morning of Saturday, June 28, of a high-altitude balloon carrying the Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) test vehicle to the edge of space. The test will occur at the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii.

At present, weather forecasted for tomorrow morning is within launch constraints. Mission managers will evaluate latest weather conditions later this evening to confirm favorable conditions.

The Saturday balloon launch window extends from approximately 11:15 a.m. to noon PDT (8:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. HST). The balloon will take approximately 2 to 3 hours to achieve float conditions. Shortly thereafter, the test vehicle will be released from the balloon and the test will begin.

Check back here and on our Twitter sites: @NASA_Technology, @NASA, @NASAJPL and @NASA_Marshall to get the latest updates on the mission.

NASA will stream live video of the test via Ustream at:

http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2

The video may be intermittent based on test activities. For real-time updates, and more information, reporters should consult:

http://go.usa.gov/kzZQ

NASA plans on providing edited supporting video of the test the day after flight.

For NASA TV streaming video, schedules and downlink information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

NASA’s LDSD program is part of the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use in NASA’s future missions.

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