LDSD
Engine · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator was a balloon launched, Star-48B solid propellant rocket motor boosted, inflatable reentry test vehicle designed for atmospheric entry on Mars. The payload dropped from the balloon at 36.5 km altitude, then the rocket motor boosted it to Mach 4.3 and an altitude of 58 km. On both tests the vehicle performed well but was lost due to parachute failure.
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