Morpheus Vertical Test Bed (VTB)/Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT)

Morpheus Vertical Test Bed (VTB)/Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) provided a reusable integrated vertical test bed for maturing precision landing and hazard avoidance, guidance/navigation/control, LOx-methane propulsion, and other lander technologies. The completed JSC-led project demonstrated an autonomous closed-loop landing with real-time hazard detection, safe-site divert, and controlled touchdown in a hazard field after a free flight from the Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Field. The work produced reusable lander capabilities for lunar and Mars missions; ALHAT content later transferred to the COBALT/NDL lander-technology project.