spacetoday.net: space news from around the webin association with SpaceNews


Armadillo falls short in first bid to win lander prize
Posted: Sun, Oct 28, 2007, 8:35 AM ET (1235 GMT)
Armadillo Aerospace Mod vehicle in flight at 2007 XP Cup (J. Foust) Armadillo Aerospace came within ten seconds of winning level one of the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge competition Saturday at the X Prize Cup before an engine failure caused the vehicle to fall and tip over. Armadillo flew its "Mod" vehicle Saturday afternoon at Holloman AFB in New Mexico to try and claim the $350,000 prize offered by NASA's Centennial Challenge program for a vehicle that can fly to 50 meters altitude, translate 100 meters, and land after remaining in the air for at least 90 seconds, then make a return trip. Mod flew the first leg of the mission without problems, but suffered a hard start of its engine at the beginning of the return flight, a problem believed to be linked to a clogged injector. The engine continue to run, but failed about 83 seconds after launch, with Mod hovering over its landing pad; the vehicle fell and tipped over. Armadillo plans to replace the vehicle's engine chamber and another component and fly again Sunday morning in the second and final day of the event. Armadillo, the only team flying in this year's competition, also has another vehicle that can fly the more challenging Level 2 flight if they first win Level 1.
<<previous article   next article>>
news in brief
Second ispace lunar lander crashes
Posted: Sat, Jun 7 10:55 AM ET (1455 GMT)

Trump-Musk feud includes threats to SpaceX programs
Posted: Sat, Jun 7 10:50 AM ET (1450 GMT)


news links
Tuesday, June 17
U.S. Space & Rocket Center CEO on leave; CFO assumes duties
Huntsville Times — 12:26 am ET (0426 GMT)
Blue Origin schedules next human flight from West Texas
KTSM-TV El Paso — 12:25 am ET (0425 GMT)
Blue Origin Sets June 21 For 13th Crewed New Shepard Launch
Aviation Week — 12:25 am ET (0425 GMT)
Yes, that light show was from a SpaceX launch
Los Angeles Times — 12:24 am ET (0424 GMT)
Latest SpaceX launch from Vandenberg seen in Las Vegas sky
KSNV-TV Las Vegas — 12:23 am ET (0423 GMT)


about spacetoday.net   ·   info@spacetoday.net   ·   mailing list