from National Aeronautics and Space Administration - NASA Congratulations to the Morpheus Lander team on yesterdays free flight test. The 57-second test began at 1:15 p.m. EST on Thursday with the Morpheus lander launching from the ground over a flame trench and ascending approximately 187 feet, nearly doubling the target ascent velocity from the last test. Morpheus then flew forward, covering about 154 feet in 20 seconds before descending and landing on a dedicated pad inside the automated landing and hazard avoidance technology (ALHAT) hazard field. Morpheus landed within 11 inches of its target. Project Morpheus tests NASAs automated landing and hazard avoidance technology and an engine that runs on liquid oxygen and methane, or green propellants. These new capabilities could be used in future efforts to deliver cargo to planetary surfaces. Morpheus and ALHAT are examples of the partnerships that exist within the agency since seven of the 10 NASA centers have contributed time, energy and resources to both. Image credit: NASA
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:23:03 +0000
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