Morpheus Vertical Test Bed 1.5 with ALHAT

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Project Morpheus was a NASA undertaking initiated in 2010 to develop a vertical takeoff and landing (VTVL) test vehicle known as the Morpheus Lander. This innovative project aimed to demonstrate a revolutionary nontoxic spacecraft propellant system, consisting of methane and oxygen, and an autonomous landing and hazard detection technology. The prototype planetary lander was designed to perform autonomous flight, including vertical takeoff and landings. These NASA-designed robotic landers were capable of carrying 1,100 pounds (500 kg) of cargo to the Moon. The Alpha prototype lander was constructed and assembled at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston and Armadillo Aerospace's facility near Dallas. This prototype lander was a "spacecraft" measuring approximately 12 feet (3.7 meters) in diameter, weighing about 2,400 pounds (1,100 kg), and consisting of four silver spherical propellant tanks topped by avionics boxes and a web of wires. Project Morpheus implemented cost-saving and time-efficient "lean development" engineering practices to achieve its objectives. The project also involved ground operations, flight operations, range safety, and software development procedures. Landing pads and control centers were constructed as part of the project's activities. From July 2010 to April 2014, approximately $14 million was spent on materials, demonstrating that the Morpheus project was lean and low-cost for NASA. In 2012, the project employed 25 full-time team members and 60 students, with an average of 40 people working on the project at any given time. Project Morpheus utilized streamlined processes and practices to achieve its goals. The Morpheus Lander's final flight took place in December 2014. Due to a lack of funding for further flights, the lander was returned to JSC in February 2015. Six formal documents were produced by the project. During the project review on March 12, 2015, it was estimated that $50 million had been saved by employing lean development methods, minimizing documentation, and acquiring materials from home improvement stores like Home Depot.