The first balloon flight of the Low Density Supersonic Decelerator technology demonstration mission

Abstract

To improve the state of the art in Mars supersonic decelerator technology, the Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) technology demonstration mission has embarked upon a series of high altitude balloon lofted, rocket propelled, supersonic reentry tests. Similar to Mars reentry technology tests performed in the 1970s, including the Planetary Entry Parachute Program (PEPP) and the Balloon Launch Decelerator Test (BLDT), LDSD relies on a zero pressure balloon to deliver the test vehicle to its high altitude initial conditions. The test architecture was successfully demonstrated in the first test flight of the project from the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Kauai on June 28th, 2014. In adapting this test architecture from the 1970s to today, many new developments were made to the balloon system including: a new balloon static launch technique and new balloon trajectory predictive capabilities. Additional diagnostic tools, intended for characterization of the test vehicle flight, were also available to characterize the balloon flight including: meteorological rockets for atmospheric characterization and the test vehicle's inertial measurement unit, which was able to measure the dynamic rates of the suspended payload. These results provided the test architecture validation and data necessary for the LDSD flights planned in 2015.