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What a spectacular achievment that was by Scaled Composites and SpaceDev. A totally private space ship.
I can't see anyone beating them now to the X-Prize.
Burt Rutan is one hell of a guy. Paul Allen deserves a clap on the back as well, very few guys would be prepared to pump that kind of money into it and then stand back and watch without meddling.
*** EDIT ***
For those who haven't seen it link.
yes. I've been following this as well. Incredible. A great achievement.
The X-prize thing had a certain hobbyist feel to it at first for me but today's launch eliminates that completely. This is going to change things big time.
How?Quote:
Originally Posted by FillYourBrain
Okay, so it would prove that private space exploration is possible, and this may culminate in the launch of fully commerical "space tourism", but the materials required certainly aren't gonna get any cheaper.
Concorde was an achievement too. We (non-military peeps) still fly in inferior aircraft as a result. :rolleyes:
>>> but the materials required certainly aren't gonna get any cheaper.
The important thing is that Rutan with Allens support, built a manned space program from scratch in 9 years, for less then the cost of one of NASA's basic design studies. He ended up with a working system, NASA would have ended up with some already out of date suggestions as to ways it might be pssible to spend more money on further studies.
It is as much a triumph for the approach to the job, as to the technology alone.
>>> This is going to change things big time.
The cynic in me worries that this might not be the case. The technology is there now, but I suspect the various regulatory authorities will be lining up to put a minefield of regulations and certification obstacles in the way. Effectively killing the "new industry" before it really gets going.
I suspect they will try to apply aircraft level standards. Effectively branding a new industry with 100 years of inappropriate rules and regulations.
If people are prepared to fly in these things knowing the risks, and they are not harming anyone else in the process - that should be their choice.
competitive forces are now involved. We no longer need politicians to throw money at a monolithic space program. There will be advancements at a faster rate and yes, a selfish capitalistic economy will drive the future accessablility of space for regular people. This is the stepping stone that we needed to move into the future. I do believe it changes a lot of things.
The real question is in your comments about regulation. I wonder if the role of NASA won't switch a little. Do you think they will become a regulatory force such as the FAA?
>>> Do you think they will become a regulatory force such as the FAA?
I don't know who will be first, but I can guarantee there are some organisations around now like NASA and the FAA that will already be thinking about how much extra budget they can squeeze out of the US government to start a study on the requirements for such regulation.
i must be out of the loop.
link please?
*Now that I have read the articles*
...awesome...
why wasnt this more widely known by the public? I heard nothing about this anywhere until this thread popped up.
dude...I've read about this about a year and a half ago in popular science...and ever since I've heard it everywhere...I think we even talked about it here sometime ago
Honestly David, I'm surprised you haven't heard about this, considering Carmack's team will likely be one the next couple to do this.
>I've read about this about a year and a half ago in popular science
i dont read popular science...although i did just subscribe a few months ago to that newscientist.com weekly newsletter.
>and ever since I've heard it everywhere
if it isnt on the local news or the Today show on NBC, i probably didnt hear about it...as I dont regularly read internet news sites.
Pretty interesting.....it may not be a huge technological advance, but it is something very different. This guy could inspire many new people into the field who might, in turn, bring new ideas with them!
As for the regulation things, I'm sure everything relating to this will be regulated eventually, but I'd be a little surprised if it happened right away. The big difference between this and the FAA regulated other forms of manned flight is cost. Anyone can but together a workable "aircraft" with a parachute, chair, and a big fan, but the logistics for going into space are (obviously) more complicated. I think the fact that the X-Prize's deadline is only 6 months away and we've just had someone complete the first flight (of two) is evidence enough for that.
>>> just had someone complete the first flight (of two)
Yesterdays flight was not the first of the two required to win the X-Prize. It was a further test flight. The rules of the X-Prize require that the space craft carry a crew of 3 or ballast to the same mass, that was not the case with yesterdays flight.
I was very suprised to find this was an unknown project to Americans. In Europe, the X-Prize has had on and off news coverage for years, through the general media as well as the science portals. Not just David here, I was chatting about it on another board with UK, Holland, Belgium and Ireland types, then a few Americans wandered into the discussion with "Huh?" type comments. Odd.
I was under the impression that it just had to repeat this in 2 weeks to win the X-Prize, not that this was another test flight. Of course, you know more about space-related things than anyone I've seen online, so I'll assume you're right.
Between this, and the first successful teleportation of atomic states--I'm thinking my fears that the future in my life time wont be as amazing as my grandfathers is off base. He was lucky to live through times of innovation-- the growth cars, tvs, electronics. I was affriad that things would be stagnent in my life time. But things are finally shaping up.
cheez, he's right. This made history but it wasn't for the first stage of the X-prize. they have to go up two more times with three crewmen. I think its safe to say that barring any horrible accidents, they'll win it.
ok, first of all, I'm excited as all heck about this. I've been constantly checking www.scaled.com/tierone for weeks now in anticipation.
Adrian, the coverage hasn't been nearly as good in the US, CNN was the only network to cover the launch itself. We're too busy being war hawks (grumble grumble)
Govt - I think there's quite a bit regulations already. I know the Mojove airport had to jump through all kinds of hoops to be certified as the first spaceport. I'm sure there will be more to follow, but there are some rules on the books already - as strange as that may seem.
People interested should really browse the X Prize website where you can read the rules, see the various teams, their progress and a whole load of other interesting stuff.
Scaled Composites are not the only private space project based at Mojave. Rotary Rocket went bust a while back but their Roton prototype was one of the first to fly, very odd machine indeed. X is also out at Mojave, but they are not an official competitor, just a well funded concern who will likely suceed as well at some point.
Somehow, I'm not that upset when adrian shows me up :)Quote:
Originally Posted by FillYourBrain
Still awesome :)
The flight of the first private astronaut was not as perfect as it first appeared – a number of glitches occurred during the flight, some potentially catastrophic.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Within hours of the first private flight to outer space on Monday, a NASA (news - web sites) official said the agency might offer millions of dollars in prizes to encourage commercial missions to orbit the Earth or land on the moon.
>> they have to go up two more times with three crewmen. <<
Actually, only the pilot plus the ballast equivalent of two passengers.