Morpheus: Third Free Flight at Kennedy

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Morpheus Third Free Flight Test at Kennedy Space Center

The third free flight of a Morpheus prototype lander was conducted Jan. 16, 2014 at the north end of the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The 57-second test began at 1:15 p.m. EST with the Morpheus lander launching from the ground over a flame trench and ascending about 187 feet. The lander then flew forward, covering about 154 feet in 20 seconds before descending and landing on a dedicated landing pad inside the autonomous landing and hazard avoidance technology (ALHAT) hazard field. Morpheus landed within 11 inches of its target. Project Morpheus tests NASA 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. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/exploration/morpheus/

Credit: NASA's Kennedy Space Center

Source: NASA/Kennedy - Multimedia

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Project Morpheus Free Flight 05

NASA's Morpheus Team successfully completed Free Flight 5 (FF5) at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). FF5, the 3rd free flight of Morpheus' Bravo vehicle, was higher and faster than all previous flights. Bravo vehicle flew its pre-planned trajectory flawlessly, ascending quickly to 57 m (187 ft), traversing 47 m (154 ft) while descending, then landing ~11 inches from intended target in the Hazard Field about a minute after launch. The Morpheus Team again demonstrated engineering and operational excellence, relying upon training, experience, and discipline to ensure a successful FF5.

Credit: NASA/Project Morpheus

Source: NASA/JSC - Morpheus Lander

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Project Morpheus Free Flight 05 Thermal & OnBoard View

NASA's Morpheus Team successfully completed Free Flight 5 (FF5) at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). FF5, the 3rd free flight of Morpheus' Bravo vehicle, was higher and faster than all previous flights. Bravo vehicle flew its pre-planned trajectory flawlessly, ascending quickly to 57 m (187 ft), traversing 47 m (154 ft) while descending, then landing ~11 inches from intended target in the Hazard Field about a minute after launch. The Morpheus Team again demonstrated engineering and operational excellence, relying upon training, experience, and discipline to ensure a successful FF5.

Credit: NASA/Project Morpheus

Source: NASA/JSC - Morpheus Lander

[Shiloh17]

The onboard view is awesome.