2 HN users recommended this demo2 months2010–2014score 2
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
Cited as an example of impressive amateur-scale rocket work, and as a vertical-landing test that predates and rivals SpaceX's Grasshopper.
A four-pane view of Armadillo Aerospace's Mod vehicle on a June 2010 boosted hop. The flight includes engine shutdown, drogue chute deployment, an engine restart and a safe landing.
“this [1] test by Armadillo was more impressive in my opinion for the additional complexity involved” (HN, 2012)
Bigger but this [1] test by Armadillo was more impressive in my opinion for the additional complexity involved in cutting the engine deploying a chute then cutting the chute and successfully landing from a turbulent freefall. [1] [this video]
Armadillo test with engine cut, chute deploy and successful landing
I felt the same way until i read a post from a HN user about "being mediocre and it's OK". Not being a rocket scientist doesn't mean i can't build great stuff too, i'll just never do something like this :) [this video]
Armadillo rocket test flight as an example of impressive work
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