Rover Flies, then Falls

[Rich Tate]

John Carmack’s Armadillo Aerospace completed one of the two challenges NASA set forth in their competition to build and simulate a craft for moon landings. The second part didn’t go so well.

On its second try, however, Armadillo didn't fare as well. The spacecraft, called the MOD, flew 50 meters vertically from the launch pad, then traversed 50 meters horizontally--required tasks of the first level of competition. But five seconds before landing on the flat-surface launch pad, the MOD tipped over in a cloud of dust.

 

[michael.pa2]

Well,at least they got it in the air,not bad considering none of the other competitors even got that far.Since returning to the moon is really the first stage in going to Mars,wouldn't it be fitting if the lander used was designed by Carmack's group?

 

[RoBo]

They fooked it up good.

 

[OCPhreaky]

Having been there to see the whole thing. It actually flew with a hole in the engine only to have it fall over after it touched down.

I can say that they did a pretty damn good job of getting it fixed overnight for the attempt on Sunday morning. Shame they didn't get it to work on Sunday either.