NASA supersonic saucer on second test stage in prep for human missions to Mars, take off was postponed twice due to Harsh Ocean Conditions

If you kept your eyes on the skies, you might just have spotted the NASA supersonic saucer on its second test stage. This is an exercise to prepare for possible future human missions to Mars.

According to the International Business Times, a saucer-shaped NASA spacecraft took off to simulate landing procedures in Mars. This is NASA's second testing of its Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD), which is designed to test new technologies for landing robotic and human missions to Mars. These future missions may also lead to bringing back payloads of samples from the Red Planet to Earth.   

IBT reported that the NASA supersonic saucer take off was on June 2, but it was postponed and moved to June 3, due to unfavorable ocean conditions. The spacecraft is supposed to splash on the sea, which is why ocean condition is an important factor. The exercise will involve lifting the LDSD to a height of 120,000 feet using a giant balloon. That is more than 20 miles above the ground.

According to NASA, previous postponement were die to the high waves, and it may be difficult for them to recover the personnel in the vessel.  

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory project manager Mark Adler "You get to see the same video I do." This is because live video will be streamed using four cameras aboard the LDSD. People in Hawaii can witness the flight of the NASA supersonic saucer on its second test stage.