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Private Rocketplane Test A Success

Posted by michael on from the x-prize-or-darwin-award-whichever-comes-first dept.

HobbySpacer writes: "XCOR announced the success of the first phase of flight tests for the EZ-Rocket. In the most recent flight, Dick Rutan fired both of its rocket engines to take off and reach a speed of 160knots and an altitude of 6200 feet. The vehicle is a Long-EZ kit plane modified to hold twin 400 lb thrust rocket engines fueled by isopropyl alcohol and liquid oxygen. The project is not aimed at a homebuilt EZ-Rocket but will demonstrate safe and reliable rocket propulsion. The primary goal is development of reusable launch technology that leads next to a high altitude sub-orbital rocket vehicle for space tourism, rocket racing (e.g. vertical drag racing at air shows) and the X-Prize competition."

7 of 283 comments (clear)

  1. Some People Shouldn't Have Kids by ekrout · · Score: 3, Funny
    In the most recent flight, Dick Rutan fired both of its rocket engines to take off and reach a speed of 160knots and an altitude of 6200 feet.

    If your last name was Rutan (read "Rootin'"), you should not name your kid Richard (or encourage the nickname Dick!). This is common sense.

    Thankfully, Bart & Lisa's prank calls to Moe on The Simpsons should discourage future "Hugh Jass"s, "Ivana Tinkles"s, and "I.P. Freely"s.

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    1. Re:Some People Shouldn't Have Kids by unitron · · Score: 3, Funny
      He pronounces it Roo-tan.

      What about Nascar's unfortunately named Dick Trickle? Maybe his parents were operating on the "Boy Named Sue" theory.

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  2. Re:Wait a sec by corebreech · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm sure bin Laden has one on order.

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    Is this truly the only Earth I can live on?
  3. ah Crap! by OO7david · · Score: 3, Funny

    Now, not only do I have crapily modified cars running down main street fridays and saturdays, but now I also have to deal with these jerks interruptin my flight!? I don't want to see a rocket with a 4' muffler, it's not cool. I don't care if your rocket has a Vtec engine. I want to fly safely from point A to point B, much as I would like to drive from point A to point B without having your terrestial counterpats fly past me at 100+ mph.

    Honestly, kids these days.

  4. A demonstration of O2 danger by drodver · · Score: 4, Funny

    Starting a grill with liquid oxygen.

  5. Re:Rocket Racing! by Kris_J · · Score: 3, Funny

    And next season on Junkyard Wars two teams will have 10 hours to build their own Rocket Racers! (While the American host wanders around mispronouncing "pumpkin".)

  6. It's been done.. by Monkeyman334 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Nice try dick, but you're not the first