NASA engineers successfully integrated and completed system testing on a new robotic lander recently at Teledyne Brown Engineering’s facility in Huntsville in support of the Robotic Lunar Lander Project at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The lander prototype was placed on modified skateboards and a customized track system as a low-cost solution to control movement during final testing of the prototype’s sensors, onboard computer, and thrusters. The prototype will aid NASA’s development of a new generation of small, smart, versatile landers for airless bodies such as the moon and asteroids. The lander's design is based on cutting-edge technology, which allows precision landing in high-risk, but high-priority areas, enabling NASA to achieve scientific and exploration goals in previously unexplored locations. The lander capability being developed will pave the way for many exciting robotic scientific missions. NASA’s Robotic Lander Test Bed conducts test activities to prove the design of this new generation of robotic landers. Marshall and APL engineers are currently conducting studies and test activities to aid in the design of this new generation of multi-use landers for future robotic space exploration. For more information visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/lunarquest/robotic/index.html
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