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Maverick Rocketeers Pursue Space Access

Mad.Scientist writes "This article at Space.com is about mavericks who are trying to lessen the cost of going into space. One of the companies, Armadillo Aerospace, is founded by John Carmack, who is also a founder of Id Software, and the brain behind games such as Doom or Quake. I just have to say, godspeed to all." Carmack is only one of the people mentioned in this story, but see our previous story for more on Carmack's rocketry habit.

10 of 227 comments (clear)

  1. Should just buy the 6 million $$$ Russian Shuttle by mestreBimba · · Score: 4, Funny

    Then all they would need is booster rockets to put it orbit.

    that would be way cheaper than anything NASA is doing.

    Heck, NASA should just buy a few of those at 6 mil a pop!

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  2. Re:This is what I've been saying for a long tim by Graspee_Leemoor · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Private Industry should be allowed into space...imagine if the computer industry had worked on space travel---we'd already been to Mars and our space ship wouldn't be as old as my grandfather =)"

    Yeah, and all the signposts would be like:

    "Venus 200,000m.
    Have you got a HOTMAIL ACCOUNT yet?
    Presented by Microsoft."

    graspee

  3. I don't know... by TheAwfulTruth · · Score: 3, Funny

    When Doom crashed it was just an inconvienience, but this...

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  4. Ah, now i get it!!! by PepsiProgrammer · · Score: 2, Funny

    This must be why the 'Rocket Launcher' has always been the weapon of choice of multiplayer gamers in quake

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  5. Its just a joke, a hoax by HanzoSan · · Score: 3, Funny

    They will never actually put a man into space.

    I dont think anyone is stupid enough to risk their life using the technology of game programmer john carmack!

    I mean his quake software was so buggy, it left a backdoor open where anyone could remotely take over someones computer.

    Lets not forget carmack knows absolutely nothing about real world physics, his games dont use REAL physics, sure he may know some calculus, but does this make him qualified to produce a rocket to launch a man into space?

    First I want to see some simulations of the launch, I want him to find the most aerodynamic design for the craft so it doesnt break up into peices or burn up into dust. I want him to also tell me how hes going to manage to do this in a safe way yet be cheaper than NASA. NASA is expensive for a reason, they DONT make alot of mistakes!

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    1. Re:Its just a joke, a hoax by _ph1ux_ · · Score: 3, Funny

      "so it doesnt break up into peices or burn up into dust"

      Would that also be known as Fragging?

  6. Re:This is what I've been saying for a long tim by HeghmoH · · Score: 3, Funny

    Right, and during your three-day trip to Mars, your space ship would explode five times.

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  7. I wonder... by cr0sh · · Score: 4, Funny

    If it would be possible to build a "super spud gun" using PVC fittings, etc - in this similar manner? Get a long piece of PVC, attach booster chambers using sewage drain "down spout" connectors, a load of JBWeld, some sensors and electronic ignition, etc.

    Maybe make the thing out of steel and weld all of the connections - would be an interesting porject for "backyard" high-altitude experiments.

    Possibly even "x-prize" level experiments...

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  8. Re:Should just buy the 6 million $$$ Russian Shutt by Ooblek · · Score: 3, Funny
    The only problem I see is that in Carmack's games, a rocket shot up in the air never comes back down. I wonder if he sees this as a challenge.

    I feel sorry for the flight testers that work for Carmack's company.

  9. I'll comment later... by John+Carmack · · Score: 5, Funny

    I am helping a hardware vendor optimize the E3 build of Doom right now, but I'll make a pass of replys and comments later on tonight...

    (yes, the Id net connection is slashdotted at the moment)

    John Carmack