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GreekReporter.comGreek NewsNew NASA “Morpheus” Mission is Financially & Energy Efficient

New NASA “Morpheus” Mission is Financially & Energy Efficient

NASA has named a new vehicle for unmanned missions “Morpheus” after the Greek god of dreams. The lander can carry about 500 kg. of cargo and was built with the use of innovative technologies, that may one day enable manned missions to another planet or even an asteroid. One of these technologies that are being tested on the vehicle is the Automated Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology, which identifies dangerous craters or boulders, that could make a landing spot on another planet unsafe.

Compared to previous missions, “Morpheus” will be very useful for saving money and energy. Instead of traditional fuels, this craft is powered by liquid oxygen and methane, which is 10 to 20 times less expensive and weighs significantly less. “Morpheus” has already undergone several tests, but not all of them were satisfying. However, despite some unsuccessful tests, researchers are not discouraged and will try a larger test, probably in June, which will include a free flight up to an altitude of 30 meters, then over 30 meters to the west and finally, a landing. If this test is successful, it will be a milestone for the project, for which 30, mostly full-time employees, plus another 30 part-time, will work at Johnson Space Center. Project “Morpheus” manager Matt Ondler, believes that a lot of people involved with NASA hope to participate in something connected to a “Greek God”, and believes that it will be really exciting for them working on this project.

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