Reel: This amazing test video shows NASA and Masten Space Systems pushing the limits of space tech with a vertical test rocket called Xodiac under the COBALT project (CoOperative Blending of Autonomous Landing Technologies). The goal? To help future spacecraft land safely and accurately on the Moon or Mars — even without GPS! 🛰️ The rocket uses two brilliant tools: 🔹 Doppler Lidar — measures exact speed and distance to the ground. 🔹 Lander Vision System — scans terrain and matches it to onboa

The CoOperative Blending of Autonomous Landing Technologies (COBALT) and Masten Space Systems, Inc. team successfully completed its first round of test flights this week on Masten's suborbital rocket vehicle Xodiac. The COBALT technology will provide spacecraft with knowledge during entry, descent and landing that enables it to precisely navigate and softly land close to surface locations that have previously been too risky. The system was navigated through GPS during this phase of the project,