Project Morpheus
Encyclopedia
Project Morpheus is a vertical test bed vehicle developed by NASA
. The lander is large enough to carry 1,100 pounds (500 kg) of cargo to the moon. The project is an outgrowth of Project M
, a NASA
initiative to land a humanoid robot on the lunar surface in 1000 days. Morpheus is the second of four risk reduction flying test beds leading up to the spaceflight lunar lander. The primary focus of the Morpheus vehicle is to demonstrate integrated system performance of the autonomous Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) system coupled with terrain hazard avoidance sensors, along with the utilization of a quad configuration liquid oxygen
and liquid methane
propulsion system.
, the Greek god of dreams. The Morpheus spacecraft is derived from the experimental lander produced by Project M with the assistance of Armadillo Aerospace
. The test vehicle was first hot fired on 15 April 2011.
Morpheus's 4000 lbf engine permitted NASA to design a larger vehicle than Armadillo Aerospace
's Pixel. Mechanical changes include the landing gear. NASA replaced the avionics and software this includes power distribution and storage, instrumentation, the flight computer, communications and software. The enhanced landing system permits Morpheus, unlike Pixel, to land without help from a pilot.
As of April 2011 NASA is planning a third of 4 prototype vehicles. The third vehicle has enhanced capability and space rated hardware.
or a similar sized payload to the lunar surface. The spacecraft will perform all propellant burns after the trans lunar injection.
Morpheus
Additional objectives include technology demonstrations such as tank material and manufacture, reaction control thrusters, main engine performance improvements, Helium pressurization systems, ground operations, flight operations, range safety, software and avionics architecture.
The Sabatier reaction
could be used to convert carbon dioxide
(CO2) found on Mars into methane, using either found or transported hydrogen
, a catalyst, and a source of heat. Hydrogen can be made from water ice which occurs on the Earth's moon.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
. The lander is large enough to carry 1,100 pounds (500 kg) of cargo to the moon. The project is an outgrowth of Project M
Project M (NASA)
Project M was a proposed NASA project headed by Stephen J. Altemus, to send a Robonaut to the Moon. This was hoped to be achieved in just 1000 days from the official go ahead. Project M has since been scaled down into Project Morpheus....
, a NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
initiative to land a humanoid robot on the lunar surface in 1000 days. Morpheus is the second of four risk reduction flying test beds leading up to the spaceflight lunar lander. The primary focus of the Morpheus vehicle is to demonstrate integrated system performance of the autonomous Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) system coupled with terrain hazard avoidance sensors, along with the utilization of a quad configuration liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen — abbreviated LOx, LOX or Lox in the aerospace, submarine and gas industries — is one of the physical forms of elemental oxygen.-Physical properties:...
and liquid methane
Methane
Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest alkane, the principal component of natural gas, and probably the most abundant organic compound on earth. The relative abundance of methane makes it an attractive fuel...
propulsion system.
History
Project Morpheus started in July 2010 and is named after MorpheusMorpheus (mythology)
Morpheus in Greek mythology is the god of dreams, leader of the Oneiroi. Morpheus has the ability to take any human form and appear in dreams...
, the Greek god of dreams. The Morpheus spacecraft is derived from the experimental lander produced by Project M with the assistance of Armadillo Aerospace
Armadillo Aerospace
Armadillo Aerospace is an aerospace startup company based in Mesquite, Texas. Its initial goal is to build a manned suborbital spacecraft capable of space tourism, but it has stated long-term ambitions of orbital spaceflight. The company was founded by John Carmack.On October 24, 2008, Armadillo...
. The test vehicle was first hot fired on 15 April 2011.
Morpheus's 4000 lbf engine permitted NASA to design a larger vehicle than Armadillo Aerospace
Armadillo Aerospace
Armadillo Aerospace is an aerospace startup company based in Mesquite, Texas. Its initial goal is to build a manned suborbital spacecraft capable of space tourism, but it has stated long-term ambitions of orbital spaceflight. The company was founded by John Carmack.On October 24, 2008, Armadillo...
's Pixel. Mechanical changes include the landing gear. NASA replaced the avionics and software this includes power distribution and storage, instrumentation, the flight computer, communications and software. The enhanced landing system permits Morpheus, unlike Pixel, to land without help from a pilot.
As of April 2011 NASA is planning a third of 4 prototype vehicles. The third vehicle has enhanced capability and space rated hardware.
Specifications
The Project Morpheus vehicle 'Morpheus' is a full scale vehicle that NASA intends to be capable of landing RobonautRobonaut
Robonaut is a humanoid robotic development project conducted by the Dextrous Robotics Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas...
or a similar sized payload to the lunar surface. The spacecraft will perform all propellant burns after the trans lunar injection.
Morpheus
- Engine burns the environmentally green propellants methane and oxygen
- Has four 48″ tanks, 2 for liquid methane and 2 for liquid oxygen
- The version 1.0 lunar lander has a payload between 200-300 kg for global access if launched using an Atlas 411. Version 1.5, with its new engine, can land 1,100 pounds (500 kg).
- The version 1.0 terrestrial based test vehicle can carry about 50-100 kg for up to 3 minutes which is enough test the experimental hazard avoidance sensor suite.
Test bed tests
As of April 2011 the primary focus of the test bed is to demonstrate an integrated propulsion and GN&C system that can fly a lunar descent profile. Thereby exercising the Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT), safe landing sensors and closed-loop flight control system.Additional objectives include technology demonstrations such as tank material and manufacture, reaction control thrusters, main engine performance improvements, Helium pressurization systems, ground operations, flight operations, range safety, software and avionics architecture.
The Sabatier reaction
Sabatier reaction
The Sabatier reaction or Sabatier process involves the reaction of hydrogen with carbon dioxide at elevated temperatures and pressures in the presence of a nickel catalyst to produce methane and water. Optionally ruthenium on alumina makes a more efficient catalyst...
could be used to convert carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
(CO2) found on Mars into methane, using either found or transported hydrogen
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...
, a catalyst, and a source of heat. Hydrogen can be made from water ice which occurs on the Earth's moon.
Incidents
- On June 1, 2011, a test of the Morpheus lander caused a large grass fire on the grounds of the Johnson Space Center. A minor incident - no one killed, no one injured and the Lander was OK. Subsequently a 10 foot wide fire break was dug around the test area to prevent the spread of any possible grass fires.