Successful Test Flight and Landing for Xombie Rocket Lander and GENIE 65
An anonymous reader sends word that Masten Space Systems' Xombie rocket has successfully demonstrated vertical takeoff and landing for NASA's Flight Opportunities Program. It was guided autonomously by the GENIE system from Draper Laboratory. "The rocket rose 164 feet, moved laterally 164 feet, and then landed on another pad after a 67-second flight. The flight represents the first step in developing a test bed capability that will allow for landing demonstrations that start at much higher altitudes-several miles above the ground." This navigation technology is laying the groundwork for future exploration of planets, moons, and asteroids.
Re:DC/X (Delta Clipper) did that first 20 years ag (Score:4, Insightful)
First flight of the Shuttle: 1981
First flight of DC/X: 1993
I don't disagree that the DC/X was killed by NASA jealousy and incompetence - but the shuttle was a mature production program by the time DC/X was testing. No one had money for aerospace in the mid 1990s - both military and civilian programs were being canceled left & right.
I applaud ANY project that is successful at ANY aerospace related engineering. Anything is better than giving the money to 3rd world despots & domestic leeches.