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Aeroshells are now a standard feature of spacecraft used to explore planets with atmospheres. In this photograph, NASA’s Mars Pathfinder entry vehicle is mated to the cruise stage at the Kennedy Space Center’s Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 (SAEF-2) during October 1996. Inside the protective aeroshell is the Pathfinder lander and contained within the lander is the Sojourner rover designed to explore a small area of Martian terrain. NASA Kennedy Space Center Orbital Transfer Vehicle concept, seen ‘aerobraking’ through the Earth’s upper atmosphere. NASA Lunar Transfer Vehicle rendezvous with lunar lander in orbit above the Moon. NASA planned the balloon drifted west towards the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and the flight unit was successfully released after two Orbital Transfer Vehicle concept, seen ‘aerobraking’ through the Earth’s upper atmosphere. NASA planned the balloon drifted west towards the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and the flight unit was successfully released after two hours at exactly the right altitude. After a brief rocket burn, the aeroshell separated from the payload package and the 84ft (25.6m) para- chute opened. This was formed from thirteen fabric rings with crescent-shaped vents to counteract excessive swinging. The test firing had been conducted from almost the centre of the test area and the components all landed within the confines of the White Sands Missile Range. In total four flights were undertaken, with modifications taking place to the test vehicle. The main dif- ference with the Type 2 vehicle was the switch to eight Sword-1 solid-fuel (Titan III C) booster separation motors. The fourth and final flight took place on 22nd August 1967. Although a fifth test was planned, it was can- celled by mission specialists who felt that they had more than enough data to move on with the programme. This Type 2 test vehicle was eventually put on display at White Sands. It attracted wide- spread interest within the UFO community after it was spotted by a reporter called Paul Massa, who photographed it while he was working for the Columbus Dispatch in Ohio. Pictures appeared in print and this led to numerous suggestions that the unusual craft might have been responsible for flying saucer sightings over America’s Southwest. Surfing the Outer Atmosphere During July 1984 NASA reached a series of conclusions about the best ways to fully utilise their forthcoming space station, which was expected to reach completion by the mid-1990s. With Marshall Space Flight Center taking responsibility for development of the Space Station’s infrastructure, they awarded both Boeing and Martin-Marietta $1 million contracts to undertake fifteen-month studies 130 Lunar Transfer Vehicle rendezvous with lunar lander in orbit above the Moon. NASA Secret Projects: Flying Saucer Aircraft