SpaceDev launches their prototype lunar lander

SpaceDev a Poway, Calif.-based firm successfully launched their prototype lunar lander. The craft rose approximately 35 feet (10.7 meters) into the air on a tether, where it hovered before descending for a careful landing. The purpose of the test was to check the lander's propulsion system. The experiment represents the first ever successful test for a hybrid rocket powered lander vehicle. SpaceDev's lander has four hybrid rocket motors that contain both solid and liquid fuel — a combination of non-explosive materials that supposedly reduces the chance for accidents. The liquid fuel allows for throttling by controlling fuel flow and acceleration and the solid fuel makes the craft safer. The International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) is working with SpaceDev to eventually land a spacecraft on the south pole of the Moon for astrophysics and communication research. The lander has many future applications including allowing for much more control and maneuverability for moon and possible other missions.

The Fool

Privately-Built Moon Lander Prototype Lifts Off

SpaceDev based in Poway, California launched their lunar lander prototype approximately 35 feet (10.7 meters) into the air on a tether, where it hovered before descending for a careful landing. SpaceDev's test is the first actual test for a hybrid rocket powered lander vehicle. They are working with the International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) to land a spacecraft on the south pole of the Moon for astrophysics and communication research. The lander prototype has four hybrid rocket motors that contain both solid and liquid fuel — a combination of non-explosive materials that supposedly reduces the chance for accidents. The liquid fuel also permits throttling by controlling fuel flow and acceleration. SpaceDev has previously worked with Scaled Composites, the Mojave, California based company that built SpaceShipOne, the ship that won the $10 million Ansari X Prize. This project could have some very interesting results hopefully it will be succesful and pulled off as soon as possible. Only time will tell.

The Fool

NASA has named their future lunar lander Altair

After going through many acronyms and technical names NASA has settled on Altair as the name of their next lunar lander. Altair is the brightest star in the constellation Aquila and is the twelfth brightest star in the night sky. Also in Latin it means eagle which relates back to the Apollo 11 Eagle. The new Altair logo can be found at http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-121307a.html. Orion crew vehicles and Altair lunar landers will launch to Earth orbit on Ares I and Ares V rockets respectively. Each lander will be capable of bringing up to four astronauts to the surface of the moon along with supplies and equipment to set up an outpost. Hopefully we will be back to the moon by 2020 with NASA though I imagine we will be there much sooner by the way of private companies especially with Google's X Prize (Odyssey Moon accepts Google X Prize). Well I wish best of luck to NASA and their endeavors.