NASA successfully tested Morpheus's landing module in the dark on rocky terrain
The purpose of the Morpheus project is to create an automatic module for soft landing on the surface of other planets in difficult conditions. The key subsystem of the module, Autonomous Landing Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT), with the help of three lidars, finds a safe place for landing where there are no large boulders and holes, and neatly lands the vehicle on the chosen site. Especially for testing Morpheus created a platform dotted with craters and cobblestones of different sizes.
May 28th was the first night flight apparatus. In general, this is the fourteenth flight test of Morpheus. The module rose to a height of 244 meters and, using the ALHAT system in a fully autonomous mode, selected a landing site and landed. The flight lasted 98 seconds. The previous Morpheus tests took place during the daytime. Here is another video of the flight, taken from a different angle:
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NASA expects that technologies developed with the help of Morpheus will in the future not only allow automatic research modules to be sent to the planets, moons and asteroids of the Solar system, but also to carry out manned flights. Module engines operate on liquid oxygen and methane. Theoretically, in a long expedition with people on board, both of these components can be a by-product of life support systems and waste disposal. In addition, oxygen and methane is a cheap and environmentally friendly fuel, which makes flight testing on the ground much cheaper and safer.
May 28th was the first night flight apparatus. In general, this is the fourteenth flight test of Morpheus. The module rose to a height of 244 meters and, using the ALHAT system in a fully autonomous mode, selected a landing site and landed. The flight lasted 98 seconds. The previous Morpheus tests took place during the daytime. Here is another video of the flight, taken from a different angle:
')
NASA expects that technologies developed with the help of Morpheus will in the future not only allow automatic research modules to be sent to the planets, moons and asteroids of the Solar system, but also to carry out manned flights. Module engines operate on liquid oxygen and methane. Theoretically, in a long expedition with people on board, both of these components can be a by-product of life support systems and waste disposal. In addition, oxygen and methane is a cheap and environmentally friendly fuel, which makes flight testing on the ground much cheaper and safer.
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/224949/
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