Rutan hits 200k feet! Almost there!

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
ink.net...

"C J Campbell" wrote in message
...

Somebody step on your tail? It really is going to be tough. If
Rutan were attempting something easy, it wouldn't be worth all
that attention, would it? What, are you trying to belittle his
accomplishments or what he is trying to do?


Just what is the point of the whole X-Prize competition anyway? I
understand the requirements, but why do it all? The Rutan Voyager flight
wasn't particularly useful either, but it was something that hadn't been
done before.

Someone might have said the same thing to the Wrights.

The idea is to prove that privately financed space travel is both feasible
and reasonable. No government has managed to do what Rutan and the others
are attempting. The prize has the additional advantage of attracting media
attention so that, once it has been won, public interest in space tourism
will be generated.

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote:

Just what is the point of the whole X-Prize competition anyway? I
understand the requirements, but why do it all?

What was the point of the first civilian flight across the Atlantic?

George Patterson
I childproofed my house, but they *still* get in.

The point is the same point that Edmund Hillary and his small civilian band had
when they climbed Everest. Sure, Patton's Third Army could have done it by
sheer muscle power and expensive engineering, but Hillary did it with finesse.

The point is the same point that swimming across the English Channel had. Boats
had been doing it for centuries. Swimmers did it on sheer guts and willpower.

The point is the same point that every glider pilot who has gone diamond
distance or altitude has. Thousands have gone before them, but they have to do
it by themselves. And that IS a big deal to the person doing it. You don't
have to think so, nor would I force you to. You are entitled to your opinion
and I to mine.

So far as I am concerned Rutan's brave little band has balls of brass for trying
it.

You do it...

because...

it is there.


Jim



"Steven P. McNicoll"
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

-
-
-Just what is the point of the whole X-Prize competition anyway?

Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

"C J Campbell" wrote in message
...

"Shiver Me Timbers" wrote in message
...
C J Campbell wrote:

That last third of the flight is going to be tough.

How condescendingly generous you are.

Somebody step on your tail? It really is going to be tough. If Rutan were
attempting something easy, it wouldn't be worth all that attention, would
it? What, are you trying to belittle his accomplishments or what he is
trying to do?

One word: ENVY

Shiver Me Timbers wrote in news:140520040137084136%
:

How condescendingly generous you are.


How generously condescending you are.

--
Regards
Drewe
"Better the pride that resides
In a citizen of the world
Than the pride that divides
When a colourful rag is unfurled"

"C J Campbell" wrote in message
...

"Thomas J. Paladino Jr." wrote in message
.. .
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4970837/


Exciting stuff!

Rutan's SpaceShipOne hit 200,000 feet today over their Mojave test site.


That last third of the flight is going to be tough. It took 55% fuel just
to
reach 211,000 feet. Most of the remainder will be needed just to carry a
full load of fuel that high. Plus, there was only one person on board. To
get the X Prize, they have to carry three people.

Not only that, they have been managing only one Spaceship One flight every
couple of months (lately about one a month). They have made only three
powered flights. What do they need for the X Prize -- something like one
every two weeks, isn't it?

It may take a little while for them to get it all together, but they do
appear to be a lot closer.

http://www.xprize.org/

The news over here (UK) said it may be achieved some time later this year,
maybe August or September. It said the Rutan project was the leader, but
there are another two not too far behind.

Starchaser Industries weren't mentiond in the leading three, so I don't know
if they've fallen behind.
http://www.starchaser.co.uk/

Paul