NASA Calls Off Its Flying Saucer Launch Due to Weather

Weather forced NASA to postpone the balloon-borne launch of its rocket-powered "flying saucer" from a test range in Hawaii for a third day on Thursday.
"A line of rain showers developed overnight, moving towards the launch site, which result in unstable wind conditions near the surface that would prevent the launch of the balloon," NASA spokeswoman Kim Newton said in an email advisory about the scrub.
She said NASA would evaluate conditions for the next available launch opportunity on Friday.
The saucer-shaped Low Density Supersonic Decelerator, or LDSD, is designed to demonstrate technologies that are likely to come into play for delivering heavy payloads to Mars. The odd-looking craft is equipped with an inflatable, doughnut-shaped shield as well as a super-strong parachute that should slow the LDSD down from supersonic speeds during descent.