NASA’s Flying Robotic Lander Reaches Highest Altitude Yet

NASA's robotic lander prototype hovers autonomously during the second free-flight test at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama (Credits: NASA/MSFC).

NASA’s Robotic Lander Development Project, managed out of Marshall Space Flight Center, has conducted a test of a new flying robotic lander prototype. The lander is designed for greater versatility and mobility than prior wheeled landers, such as the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity scheduled to launch November 26.

The video below shows footage of the prototype Mighty Eagle reaching an altitude of 100 ft in the latest flight test, courtesy of NASA.