The "Pepp Aeroshell," shown here at the White Sands Missile Range park, was used to test the parachute that NASA planned to use to "soft land" the Viking spacecraft on Mars.
It and its predecessor test craft probably explain about 99% of the "flying saucer" sightings in the western U.S. in the 1950s and 1960s.
Considering that the UFO craze began in the 50s as the US was testing all kinds of secret rockets and aircraft, I think a huge number of ‘sightings’ can be explained in such a manner.
40 days to touchdown on Mars. Seems like an overcomplicated landing procedure but I understand why. I’m a little surprised this one isn’t getting more press.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html
oh yeah, anyone can tell that’s a weather balloon...