I saw this project linked within this excellent answer. Why is this proposed balloon (assisting in deceleration of the proposed Martian atmosphere entry) donut-shaped? Are there aerodynamic, stability and/or weight advantages?

Also, can it be articulated for steering by adjusting lengths of the lines?

I think the word Ballute is used in the video (balloon parachute) but that seems to be something different. See for example NASA Tech Memo xxx Flight-Test Results from Supersonic Deployment of an 18-foot-diameter (5.49-meter) Towed Ballute Decelerator (figure shown at the end).

See the Purdue University website page for the project at https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAECourses/aae450/2015/spring

I saw this project linked within this excellent answer. Why is this proposed balloon (assisting in deceleration of the proposed Martian atmosphere entry) donut-shaped? Are there aerodynamic, stability and/or weight advantages?

Also, can it be articulated for steering by adjusting lengths of the lines?

I think the word ballute is used in the video (balloon parachute) but that seems to be something different. See for example NASA Tech Memo TM X-1773 Flight-Test Results from Supersonic Deployment of an 18-foot-diameter (5.49-meter) Towed Ballute Decelerator (figure shown at the end).

See the Purdue University website page for the project at https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAECourses/aae450/2015/spring

I saw this project linked within this excellent answer. Why is this proposed balloon (assisting in deceleration of the proposed Martian atmosphere entry) donut-shaped? Are there aerodynamic, stability and/or weight advantages?

Also, can it be articulated for steering by adjusting lengths of the lines?

See the Purdue University website page for the project at https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAECourses/aae450/2015/spring

I saw this project linked within this excellent answer. Why is this proposed balloon (assisting in deceleration of the proposed Martian atmosphere entry) donut-shaped? Are there aerodynamic, stability and/or weight advantages?

Also, can it be articulated for steering by adjusting lengths of the lines?

I think the word Ballute is used in the video (balloon parachute) but that seems to be something different. See for example NASA Tech Memo xxx Flight-Test Results from Supersonic Deployment of an 18-foot-diameter (5.49-meter) Towed Ballute Decelerator (figure shown at the end).

See the Purdue University website page for the project at https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAECourses/aae450/2015/spring