U.S. space officials are declaring the test flight of a new Mars landing craft a success even if a parachute failed to open fully.
NASA hopes to use the new vehicle in a future manned mission to the red planet.
A helium balloon and motor Saturday carried the huge saucer-shaped craft from the launch pad in Hawaii to more than 36,000 meters over the Pacific, where the atmosphere is as thin as that over Mars.
But the 34-meter-wide parachute that was supposed to guide the craft to an ocean splashdown failed to open completely.
NASA, however, says it is pleased with the results, and says this was a more valuable experience than if everything had gone perfectly.
Some information for this report comes from AP and Reuters.
