9/12/2009 04:50:00 PM
We can now say that someone will win at least a million dollars this year.
Armadillo Aerospace successfully completed the requirements for Level Two of the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge today. Braving rain delays, igniter problems, software re-compiles, and muddy roads, they put together two successful 180-second flights within the required 135 minute time period.
Official numbers are forth coming, but it seems as though Armadillo's Mean Landing Accuracy--the number that would be used to break any ties--is below one meter.
Congrats to all of team Armadillo, to NASA's Centennial Challenges, to Northrop Grumman, and to space fans and US taxpayers everywhere--today is a great day!
