Xaero 444m Free Flight

Masten's Xaero returns to the skies to complete a flight to 444 meters AGL - a record for Xaero and the company. Xaero took some time off while the team put significant work into updating her landing gear and cutting mass and solving some guidance issues. Onward and upward!

• Category

  Science & Technology

[fieyr2002]

Nicely done. However, what I'd really like to see is a situation where it is forced to recover from some unexpected anomaly such as a strong gust of wind or even a bird hitting it.

Also, I'd like to see a test where it is raised to maybe 500 feet. Then cut of the engine and demonstrate an ability to automatically recover from this as well.

[mastenspace]

Many of our flights do react and recover from strong wind gusts or interference with our safety tether (no bird strikes yet!), however our vehicles react so quickly that most instances are only observable during post-flight data analysis. As for in-air relight, we successfully performed this test on our Xombie vehicle in 2010 (check our channel for the video). A repeat of this test on Xaero has not been discussed at this time.

[normwttngtn]

Very cool! But don't forget, Bugs Bunny did this many decades ago.

[luzon83]

I played that 30 years ago on an Atari.

[DJplastelina]

What what what, what what?

[CommentAccountA]

FINAL TIER, ELITE: XAERO

[JuggaloOzi]

Good stuff, keep raising that ceiling.

[gdog48001]

So i hear this is how subway will deliver their sandwiches in a few years.

[elfvalerio]

Very nice. Reminds me of a classic landing game. Search for "Geody Space Lander" on Google.

[etbadaboum]

Gosh. A GladOS turret from space! "HELLO I'M ON YOUR PLANET NAOW".

[Tea Shelves]

Wow. Bravo!

"Window-cam" was especially cool. Moar, please

[stxrobstar]

Frau im Monde.