Today the Morpheus team attempted a hover test under tether. This test was the next incremental step in a series of planned tests leading to free flight. Among previous tests were component tests, subsystem tests, integrated vehicle tests, and in the last week successful strap down engine ignition and firing tests. The particular test today was intended to demonstrate a 40 second engine firing while maintaining altitude of five feet above the tether point. Shortly after ignition the vehicle pitched over and control authority was lost. The multiple redundant thrust termination system (a precursor to the flight termination system) executed and aborted the test. The test team then executed all nominal and contingency procedures required to safe the vehicle. All ground crew had been evacuated to 1000ft well before the test, per procedure. It was a great test and learning experience as expected. We obtained confirmation and a robust test of the thrust termination system, a necessary requirement for proceeding to free flight. We stressed the test team and our ability to manage and control anomalies. We obtained critical GN&C and flight control data to continue building confidence in the system. We achieved another clean start of our in-house built LOX/LCH4 engine. And finally we validated our philosophy of incremental build up and testing under the most controlled conditions possible. Location: NASA Johnson Space Center Vertical Test Bed Flight Complex Photographer: Lauren Harnett

IWC 5002 with Gorilla Straps Pilot style strap. Strobist: D300 tethered on tripod, fired remotely with DSLR Camera remote on iPhone. Single SB800 with double amber gels to cam right, 1/64 power punched to 105mm fired with cactus V2s trigger. (got the idea from Joe McNally's Hotshoe Diaries!) I actually shot this on my computer desk in my office.