MessageToEagle.com - A new generation of small, smart, versatile robotic landers is born.
NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL)
are creating these landers to achieve scientific and exploration goals on the surface of the moon and other
airless celestial bodies, including near-Earth asteroids.
Marshall and APL engineers are currently conducting studies and test activities to aid in the design of this
new generation of multi-use landers for future robotic space exploration.
One of them. for example, is the "Mighty Eagle," a NASA robotic prototype lander. It is soaring high again for a
series of tests being conducted at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.
Since its last round of tests in 2011, the Mighty Eagle team has made significant updates to the
guidance controls on the lander's camera, furthering its autonomous capabilities.
The three-legged "green" lander is fueled by 90 percent pure hydrogen peroxide and receives its commands
from an onboard computer that activates its onboard thrusters to carry it to a controlled landing using
a pre-programmed flight profile.
It is 4 feet tall and 8 feet in diameter and, when fueled, weighs 700 pounds.
In this series of tests, which will continue through September, the lander prototype will autonomously
fly and hover at 30 feet for two tests, and up to 100 feet for another two tests, and then move sideways,
to safely land 30 feet away from the launch pad.
Watch the video of the Mighty Eagle flight on Aug. 8, at the Marshall Center:
'Mighty Eagle' Takes Flight
The "Mighty Eagle," a NASA robotic prototype lander, had a successful first untethered flight Aug. 8 at the Marshall Center.
During the 34-second flight, the "Mighty Eagle" soared and hovered at 30 feet, moved sideways, looked for its target
and safely landed on the launchpad. Credits: NASA/MSFC
The test demonstrates what it will take to perform the final descent of an autonomous controlled
landing on the moon, asteroids or other airless bodies.
"These lander tests provide the data necessary to expand our capabilities to go to other destinations,"
said Dr. Greg Chavers, engineering manager and warm gas test article lead at the Marshall Center.
Click on image to enlarge
'Mighty Eagle' Floats in First Successful Untethered Flight
The "Mighty Eagle," a NASA robotic prototype lander, had a successful first untethered flight Aug. 8
at the Marshall Center. During the 34-second flight, the Mighty Eagle soared and hovered at 30 feet,
moved sideways, looked for its target and safely landed on the launchpad. Image credit: NASA/MSFC)
"It also furthers our knowledge of the engineering components needed for future human and robotic missions."
NASA will use the Mighty Eagle to mature the technology needed to develop a new generation of small,
smart, versatile robotic landers capable of achieving scientific and exploration goals throughout
the solar system.
Click on image to enlarge
Inspecting the 'Mighty Eagle' Lander Prototype
Marshall Center engineers Logan Kennedy, right, and Adam Lacock check out the lander prototype, dubbed the
"Mighty Eagle." Since its last round of tests in 2011, the Mighty Eagle team has made significant updates
to the guidance controls on the lander's camera, furthering its autonomous capabilities. Testing will continue through the month of August.
Image credit: NASA/MSFC/Fred Deaton
Click on image to enlarge
'Mighty Eagle' Testing Continues at Marshall
The "Mighty Eagle" robotic prototype lander is now being tested near Marshall's historic Saturn-IC Static
and F-1 test stands. The lander is fueled by 90 percent pure hydrogen peroxide and receives its commands from
an onboard computer that activates its onboard thrusters to carry it to a controlled landing using a pre-programmed
flight profile. The S-IC static test stand was originally designed to develop and test the Saturn V S-IC first stage,
or booster stage, and was also used for space shuttle external tank testing. The venerable F-1 engine test stand was
used to test turbopumps for Saturn first stage engines. Image Credit: NASA/MSFC/Fred Deaton
Directed by NASA's Planetary Science Division, Headquarters Science Mission Directorate (SMD), the lander capability
being developed will pave the way for many exciting robotic scientific missions. NASA's robotic Lander Test Bed
conducts test activities to prove the design of this new generation of robotic landers.
The "Mighty Eagle" prototype lander was developed by the Marshall Center and Johns Hopkins University Applied
Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md., for NASA’s Planetary Sciences Division, Headquarters Science Mission Directorate.
Key partners in this project include the Von Braun Center for Science and Innovation, which includes the Science
Applications International Corporation, Dynetics Corp. and Teledyne Brown Engineering Inc., all of Huntsville.
Beautiful Night Sky Timelapse
Takes You On A Journey To Astronomer's Paradise
There are not many locations left on this planet where you can still experience a dark sky like this.
Walking on the desert near Paranal between the scattered stones and boulders on the pale red dust feels like being on Mars but under the Earth sky.
It is an amazing experience to be under an ideal night sky, a pure natural beauty unspoiled by urban lights.
Sloan Digital Sky Survey III Presents: New 3-D Map Of The Sky!
The largest three-dimensional map of massive galaxies and distant black holes ever created has been release by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III (SDSS-III).
The new map pinpoints the locations and distances of over a million galaxies.
Wonderful Mobile Astronomy Apps For All Stargazers!
It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced backyard astronomer.
It's never too late to become interested in astronomy and these superb applications can help you in your stargazing pursuits.
We have put together a selection of some wonderful applications for you mobile or ipad.
Many of the applications are free and you will be amazed how beautiful they are!
First Photo Ever Of The Entire North Pole As Seen From Space!
You have never seen the entire North Pole, not until now...
This is a unique photo showing for the first time the entire Artic region.
We have previously only been able to view parts of the North Pole, but in this very special version of
the Blue Marble image much more can be seen... Can you see your country on the image?
Intimate Connection Between Black Holes And New-Born Stars
Astronomers have known for some time that black holes and supermassive black holes accretion and star formation appear intimately connected.
However, it does not mean that powerful gravitational forces of the black holes disrupt surrounding material in their vicinity.
On the contrary, a black hole seems to be helping stars to form.
2012 Noctilucent Clouds Are Back -
But Their Origin Is Still Unknown
The clouds are called noctilucent or "night-shining" clouds (NLCs) and they are a relatively new phenomenon.
Previously, they were only seen over almost exclusively in Earth's polar regions, but they are now also visible
in the skies over the United States and Europe and else where. There is no doubt any more. The clouds at the edge of space are spreading...
MessageToEagle.com - A new generation of small, smart, versatile robotic landers is born.
In what way will NextGen affect the average person? What will these new vehicles look like?
When can we expect to fly these new aircraft? These are some of the questions many are already asking.
During peak travel there can be more...
There are not many locations left on this planet where you can still experience a dark sky like this.
Walking on the desert near Paranal between the scattered stones and boulders on the pale red dust feels like being on Mars but under the Earth sky.
It is an amazing experience to be under an ideal night sky, a pure natural beauty unspoiled by urban lights.
The largest three-dimensional map of massive galaxies and distant black holes ever created has been release by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III (SDSS-III).
The new map pinpoints the locations and distances of over a million galaxies.
As we have previously mentioned,
It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced backyard astronomer.
It's never too late to become interested in astronomy and these superb applications can help you in your stargazing pursuits.
We have put together a selection of some wonderful applications for you mobile or ipad.
Many of the applications are free and you will be amazed how beautiful they are!
You have never seen the entire North Pole, not until now...
This is a unique photo showing for the first time the entire Artic region.
We have previously only been able to view parts of the North Pole, but in this very special version of
the Blue Marble image much more can be seen... Can you see your country on the image?
Astronomers have known for some time that black holes and supermassive black holes accretion and star formation appear intimately connected.
However, it does not mean that powerful gravitational forces of the black holes disrupt surrounding material in their vicinity.
On the contrary, a black hole seems to be helping stars to form.
The clouds are called noctilucent or "night-shining" clouds (NLCs) and they are a relatively new phenomenon.
Previously, they were only seen over almost exclusively in Earth's polar regions, but they are now also visible
in the skies over the United States and Europe and else where. There is no doubt any more. The clouds at the edge of space are spreading...
If a person told you he has visited the past or future, you would probably not believe him.
If the same person revealed to you...
