Armadillo begins hover tests

Over the last two weeks, Armadillo Aerospace conducted hover tests of the "big vehicle" while it was tethered to a crane. Although the tests ended in aborts when the vehicle exceeded the tilt limits, they did prove that the vehicle is basically sound. Engines, avionics, and telemetry seem to be functioning. If you compare the videos of the first week and second week, you can see that the system is improving. This illustrates two of the advantages of the Armadillo-style approach:
1. The simpler the vehicle, the less time you have to wait between tests. The less time you have to wait, the faster you can make improvements.
2. If your vehicle can be flown unmanned, you can run as many flight tests as you want without worry, which makes improving the vehicle much easier and quicker.
I wouldn't be surprised if in two more weeks, Armadillo has the big vehicle flying straight as an arrow. Of course, they still need a launch license...

Armadillo Aerospace also seems to be experimenting with a single engine setup controlled by jet vanes.

Can't wait until next Monday.

I know what you mean.

However, I don't think Armadillo will get any work done this weekend since they are going to the Space Access conference in Pheonix. If we're lucky, they'll release a video instead, since they usually produce a video to show at each SAS conference.

They are all going to Space Access conference in Pheonix, or just a few of them ?... maybe they just split the team into 2 parts atleast that's what I hope.

If they go with the jet vane instead of incremental thrust, are they planning to use four big engines and a fifth small engine for use with the jet vane controllers?

Well, from their site it seems they are thinking of just using one large engine with jet vanes if they can't get the 4 engine setup to work right.

Maybe they should start working with ARCA. ARCA has a BIG monoprop H2O2 motor.