| X Prize Cup Day 1 - Lunar Lander Challenge |
[Oct. 21st, 2006|12:09 am] |
The Northrup Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge dominated Day 1 of the X Prize Cup activity being held at the Las Cruces (New Mexico) International Airport.
The only entry in the challenge was from Armadillo Aerospace, based in Texas.
Armadillo Aerospace competed in the Level 1 competition, worth $350,000 to the winning entry.
In Level 1, the rocket must take off vertically from a launch pad (Point A) using rocket power to a minimum altitude of 50 meters. While maintaining that minimum altitude of 50 meters, the rocket must translate horizontally 100 meters to Point B (a landing pad). The rocket then lands vertically and has to land on Point B with accuracy (within a 10-meter diameter circle centered around Point B). A refueling opportunity is given before the rocket lifts off using rocket power from Point B, translates horizontally back to Point A, and lands with accuracy on the Point A landing pad in order to claim the prize. Each flight for Level 1 must last 90 seconds or longer.
Level 2, worth $1 million dollars to the winner, has pretty much the same rules, except the flight time for each segment is 180 seconds and the landing pad is simulated lunar terrain.
Armadillo Aerospace's entry "Pixel" launched from its Point A pad, reached altitude, hovered as it moved horizontally to the Point B pad, and landed on Point B. The landing was so hard that Pixel was damaged so the second segment of the contest was not able to be carried out. Armadillo Aerospace hopes to repair things and try again on Saturday to claim the Level 1 prize.
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Also on Friday, Rocket Racing League announced their first X-Plane will be named "Thunderhawk". Rocket Racing League features rocket-powered aircraft racing through a three-dimensional racecourse.
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Saturday marks the final day of the 2006 X Prize Cup activities. Other than Armadillo Aerospace maybe trying again to claim the Northrup Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge Level 1 prize, Space Elevator contests are expected to take center stage.
A free webcast can be viewed by visiting the X Prize Cup website. |
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