Morpheus Campaign 4 1st Tether Test

NASA's Project Morpheus prototype lander's engine fires briefly in a tethered-flight test at the north end of the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. However, the test was stopped following detection of an anomaly immediately after engine ignition. The tether test was cut short due to Morpheus exceeding onboard abort rate limits. The vehicle was taken back to the hangar and data from the test is being studied. After review, managers will determine when a new test date will be set. The landing facility provides the lander with the kind of field necessary for realistic testing, complete with rocks, craters and hazards to avoid. Morpheus’ ALHAT payload allows it to navigate to clear landing sites amidst rocks, craters and other hazards during its descent.