Successful Test Flight and Landing for Xombie Rocket Lander and GENIE

Posted by Soulskill on Saturday February 18, 2012 @10:19PM from the rises-from-the-dead-and-then-lands-gently-on-the-living dept.

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.

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Lunar Lander by mutherhacker · 2012-02-18 22:34 · Score: 5, Funny

I barely held back from pressing the UP arrow on the keyboard while watching the video.
How much would it cost to make one... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-02-18 23:00 · Score: 0, Funny

For a nuclear bomb?
How cool would it be to have your nuke dancing in the air in front of your enemies before destroying their city?
Re:164 feet? by tomhath · 2012-02-19 00:28 · Score: 4, Funny

The vehicle reached an altitude of 0.248548477 furlongs in roughly 2.48015873 × 10-5 fortnights