Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge team Armadillo Aerospace's Pixel vehicle crashed 2s into its ascent, toppling over as it lost a leg on take off shifting its centre of gravity, ending Armadillo's hopes of winning $350,000 of the challenge's $2 million prize money.
The damage sustained by Pixel has ended hopes that Armadillo can try again today. No one will win the NASA Cenntennial Challenge's funded Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge this year. The prize money will be retained for another attempt by Armadillo and possibly other teams next year.
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Above: Armadillo Aerospace ready Pixel for flight |
Pixel's ascent, at about 13:10h local time, was for the return flight to try to win the NASA funded Centennial Challenge's $350,000 lunar lander analogue flight level one award. The first flight had successfully taken place at around 12:45h. To win the level one award Pixel had to be flown twice, from its launch site to a target landing pad, and back again.
It also had to reach an altitude of 50m (164ft) and stay aloft for at least 90s as it translated sideways 100m from launch to landing and again on its return. To win the level two award, which had a prize purse of $1 million, Pixel would have had to hover for 180s during the 100m flight between launch and landing zone. The remaining $650,000 prize money was to be divided amongst the runner up teams for the level one and level two flight awards.
Armadillo Aerospace had hoped to beat the McDonnell Douglas/NASA Delta Clipper vertical take off and landing vehicle flight record of 142s today but because of the crash that flight will not occur.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
