After The X-Prize -- What?

[Paul A. Suhler]

In an attempt to move this discussion into something useful...

A vehicle capable of satisfying the requirements for
the X-Prize would be useful for joyrides. This can
make money, but it's a limited market.

How would you envision a commercial private space
enterprise developing from this beginning?

[N329DF]

>A vehicle capable of satisfying the requirements for
>the X-Prize would be useful for joyrides. This can
>make money, but it's a limited market.
>
>How would you envision a commercial private space
>enterprise developing from this beginning?

Look what Lindberg did. He knew that if his flight was a success, that it would
spark the imagination of others and help make transatlantic travel routine. He
was right, and Rutan and the other X plane competators have the same idea as
Lindberg. It may take a number years, but it will happen.

Matt Gunsch,
A&P,IA,Private Pilot
Riding member of the
2003 world champion drill team
Arizona Precision Motorcycle Drill Team
GWRRA,NRA,GOA

[Peter Kemp]

On 15 May 2004 15:31:59 -0700, (Paul A. Suhler)
wrote:

>In an attempt to move this discussion into something useful...
>
>A vehicle capable of satisfying the requirements for
>the X-Prize would be useful for joyrides. This can
>make money, but it's a limited market.
>
>How would you envision a commercial private space
>enterprise developing from this beginning?

Add an autopilot to remove the 3 crew and now you have a few hundred
pounds more payload to mess with. perhaps enough for a microsatellite
plus booster to get it the rest of the way?

Peter Kemp

[Steve Hix]

In article >,
Peter Kemp > wrote:

> On 15 May 2004 15:31:59 -0700, (Paul A. Suhler)
> wrote:
>
> >In an attempt to move this discussion into something useful...
> >
> >A vehicle capable of satisfying the requirements for
> >the X-Prize would be useful for joyrides. This can
> >make money, but it's a limited market.
> >
> >How would you envision a commercial private space
> >enterprise developing from this beginning?
>
> Add an autopilot to remove the 3 crew and now you have a few hundred
> pounds more payload to mess with. perhaps enough for a microsatellite
> plus booster to get it the rest of the way?

I you're thinking of carrying pax with an autopilot flying the vehicle,
I suspect that the FAA is going to object somewhat.

If just for hardware payloads, I don't see what this has over something
like Pegasus.

[Krztalizer]

I'm guessing the Y prize is next.

[Dave Kearton]

"Krztalizer" > wrote in message
...
| I'm guessing the Y prize is next.
|
|
|

--


That's my favourite




Cheers


Dave Kearton

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"N329DF" > wrote in message
...
>
> Look what Lindberg did. He knew that if his flight was a success,
> that it would spark the imagination of others and help make
> transatlantic travel routine. He was right, and Rutan and the other
> X plane competators have the same idea as Lindberg. It may take
> a number years, but it will happen.
>

Lindbergh's accomplishment was not the first nonstop flight between New York
and Paris in a civil aircraft, it was the first nonstop flight between New
York and Paris PERIOD. It sparked the imagination of others because it was
a first, and that spark advanced aviation. But the X Prize isn't going to
advance spaceflight, spaceflight has already moved well beyond manned
suborbital flight.

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"Peter Kemp" > wrote in message
...
>
> Add an autopilot to remove the 3 crew and now you have a
> few hundred pounds more payload to mess with. perhaps enough
> for a microsatellite plus booster to get it the rest of the way?
>

If you did that you'd be duplicating Pegasus, which has already put a few
dozen small satellites in orbit.

[Paul A. Suhler]

Let me try again.

How do we get to permanent self-sustaining colonies on
one or more moons or planets without government funding?

[Krztalizer]

>
>Let me try again.
>
>How do we get to permanent self-sustaining colonies on
>one or more moons or planets without government funding?

Halliburton.

[Peter Stickney]

In article >,
(Krztalizer) writes:
>>
>>Let me try again.
>>
>>How do we get to permanent self-sustaining colonies on
>>one or more moons or planets without government funding?
>
> Halliburton.

Not a rediculous as it sounds at first. Something liek colonozation
is going to be a massive engineering project, as opposed to
exploration. That's the sort of task that Halliburton, or
Schlumberger, or somebody else of that ilk do best.

(Although my bet's on Delos Harriman & Associates)

--
Pete Stickney
A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many
bad measures. -- Daniel Webster

[Peter Kemp]

On 16 May 2004 20:45:06 -0700, (Paul A. Suhler)
wrote:

>Let me try again.
>
>How do we get to permanent self-sustaining colonies on
>one or more moons or planets without government funding?

Find a really profitable use for moon rock. Otherwise no commercial
company will even try - nor should they.

Peter Kemp