First test run of RoverX on sandy and rocky surface:
February 7, 2011 - by First test run of RoverX on sandy and rocky surface
February 7, 2011 - by World premiere - Successful static test firing of a solid steam hybrid rocket motor
The video below shows the world's first successful static test firing of a solid steam hybrid rocket motor. The nozzle was removed before ignition as the safety crew was afraid the motor would explode. Thanks again to Rick Maschek and his crew for building the prototype and doing the video courtesy.
February 6, 2011 - by Astrobotic Technology Annouces Lunar Mission on SpaceX Falcon 9
PITTSBURGH, PA - February 6, 2011 - Astrobotic Technology Inc. today announced it has signed a contract with SpaceX to launch Astrobotic's robotic payload to the Moon on a Falcon 9. The expedition will search for water and deliver payloads, with the robot narrating its adventure while sending 3D video. The mission could launch as soon as December 2013.
February 6, 2011 - by RoverX development has been started
While we are still doing research in finding the most economic way to travel 500m on the lunar surface, we also developing a classic planetary rover design, called RoverX.
The picture below shows one of the prototypes. The camera pan/tilt-unit and the HD camera itself are still missing. The rover is remote controlled, the rover operator will wear video goggles with accelaration sensors. The camera will move according to the head movements.
February 5, 2011 - by The Past Meets the Future at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
I had an awesome night at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) here in the Rocket City Thursday night. It was an incredible experience to be having dinner underneath this behemoth moon rocket known as the Saturn V. Incredible!
We were at a special awards ceremony honoring Dr. Georg von Tiesenhausen, 96, an original German rocket scientist, NASA engineer on the Saturn V and lifelong educator. He received the Center’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Education from Neil Armstrong! How cool is that? This was a very rare and cool experience for all of us here in Huntsville and Alabama.
February 4, 2011 - by Fourth Part-Time Scientists Fan Friday
Welcome to the fourth Fan Friday.
Hello and Welcome back to our fourth Fan Friday. You ask and we reply, while also giving away some sneak a peek at what we are doing. If you want to take a look at the previous questions go to our blog.
We got some new questions from you and selected five out of them this time with focus on statistics and technology.
Stats "How many people are working at PTS and how do you organize yourself?"
February 4, 2011 - by Exploring the Lander Structure Design Space
A series of support structure concepts for the lander
February 3, 2011 - by Happy Chinese New Year
Happy and a Prosperous Chinese New Year! As we enter the year of the Rabbit, we hope to see and experience many exciting events to take place in this dynamics year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!!
Cheers
kind regards
Izmir Yamin
IDXA
February 3, 2011 - by Launching from the World's Natural Spaceport!
IDXA (Independence-X Aerospace) is planning a test launch in October 2011 from a 3 degrees latitude proposed launch site. Altitude and test payload mass is to be determined. There are many benefits to launch from near the equator (of ZERO degrees latitude), among them are the highest attainable initial tangential velocity of the launch vehicle due to the earth's rotation which makes any particle on the surface of the equator travels faster than in northern or southern hemispheric region.
February 3, 2011 - by Landing the Lunar X PRIZE Seminar
Red Whittaker delivered 'Landing the Lunar X PRIZE' as part of the Field Robotics Center Seminar Series on January 25th. This seminar discusses competing in the Google Lunar X PRIZE and the many technical challenges that comes with it.
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