LDSD flight complete and NASA discussed status of test Mars landing

Dear readers and followers,

last week we announced you that +NASA was ready for its its second flight test of Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator.

This first of three LDSD flights will determine the flying qualities of the test vehicle. As a bonus, the flight plan also includes deployment of two new technologies -- an inflatable device and mammoth parachute. However, those landing technologies are not officially scheduled to be tested until next summer, in two additional LDSD flights.

Yesterday NASA released status report of the test flight. NASA’s Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project completed its second flight test when the saucer-shaped craft splashed down safely Monday in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. A post-flight media teleconference will be held at 1 p.m. EDT/7a.m., Tuesday, June 9th to review the test.

Audio of the teleconference will be streamed live at: http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio

Credit image: +NASA 

Two experimental decelerator technologies – a supersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator and a supersonic parachute – were tested. The supersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator deployed and inflated. The supersonic parachute also deployed; however, it did not perform as expected. Data were obtained on the performance of both innovative braking technologies, and the teams are beginning to study the data.

NASA is ready for its second flight test of Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator

Dear readers and followers,

The second flight test of +NASA's Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) is expected today, Tuesday, June 2nd, The flight test is a launch of a rocket-powered, saucer-shaped test vehicle into near-space from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. At launch time, a giant balloon will carry the test vehicle to an altitude of about 36 km. 

Credit image: +NASA 

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A pink exoplanet found

Dear followers,

an international team of astronomers has found a giant planet around the start GJ 504. The new exoplanet, called GJ 504b, has been discovered thanks to infrared data from the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii. This giant planet is the lowest-mass planet (several times the mass of Jupiter) detected around a start like the sun using direct imaging techniques.

The distance between GJ 504b and its sun is nine times the distance Jupiter-Sun. This point poses a challenge to theoretical ideas of how giant planets form.

The astronomer team estimates the system of the Sun GJ504 located in the constellation Virgo is about 160 million years old. This estimated has been based on methods that link the start's color and rotation period to its age.

The race to find exoplanets is still growing all around the world, and astronomers works hard to find a possible planet with life conditions.