NASA is looking forward to conduct a test launch of a spacecraft that looks very similar to a flying saucer. The goal behind designing the spacecraft is to make it fly through the Martian atmosphere for a likely trip to Mars in the future.

"So, if we want to put bigger things on Mars. We want to extend our reach, not with just robots, but also with people and more into the Solar system, to go to Mars, this is one of the key, critical technologies that we are going to need to be able to do that", said Mark Adler with NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab.

Called the Low Density Supersonic Decelerator or LDSD, the ship is part of Low Density Supersonic Decelerator. Scientists will get significant help through the spacecraft to reach an altitude and speed that are similar to the environment space vehicles face while flying in the Martian atmosphere. As per NASA plans, the launch of the flying saucer could take place this Thursday from Hawaii.

The spacecraft will be controlled by NASA engineers on the ground at mission control headquarters. The LDSD is a saucer-like prototype and astronauts want to use it on a mission to Mars. The space agency will carry the saucer up to the stratosphere by a hot air balloon. LDSD will be dropped after it reaches 120,000 feet. The saucer's signature spin will be then generated by the four small rocket motors.

According to expectations of engineers, the craft will be able to reach a maximum speed of Mach 4 and top out at 180,000 feet.

The spacecraft will provide deep insight into many important things about the space technology, said Michael Gazarik, NASA's associate administrator for space technology. He did not deny the fact that the spacecraft needs to undergo many upgrades before it is ready for Mars.