Morpheus crashes in test

A small NASA lander being tested for missions to the moon and other destinations beyond Earth crashed and burned after veering off course during a trial run at the Kennedy Space Center last week. There were no injuries after the prototype, known as Morpheus, burst into flames near the runway formerly used by NASA's space shuttles. Designed and built by engineers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, it made several flights attached to a crane before Thursday's attempted free-flight. The engines appeared to ignite as planned, but a few seconds later Morpheus rolled over on its side and plummeted to the ground. (Source: Reuters, 08/10/12) The engine that powers the lander was tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss.