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New XCOR Rocket Engine Passes First Test

Posted by timothy on from the please-stand-clear dept.

apsmith writes "XCOR Aerospace just successfully test-fired their new liquid oxygen/kerosene rocket engine. This is significantly more powerful than the engines used in the XCOR EZ-Rocket vehicle, and will be further developed for use in the Xerus suborbital vehicle. XCOR is one of the serious X-Prize contenders, and partly funded by John Carmack of Id and Armadillo Aerospace (Carmack's in-his-free-time X-prize contender)."

16 of 135 comments (clear)

  1. Cost Effective? by Hayzeus · · Score: 5, Funny
    So, will this be a cost effective way to launch Lance Bass into space?

    Note that omitting a reentry vehicle could substantially save on fuel costs.

    --

    Roving Web-Teleoperated Robot
    1. Re:Cost Effective? by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      "So, will this be a cost effective way to launch Lance Bass into space?"

      Absolutely. We'd all contribute to that fund. The real question is whether or not it'd be a cost effective way to send anything else into space.

  2. That's one small boost for man,.. by DarkBlackFox · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...and one step closer to getting me off this rock.

  3. What do you reckon.. by nath_o_brien · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...their new liquid oxygen/kerosene rocket engine

    What do you reckon the chances are of me being able to get hold of one of these babies for my car?

    --
    - Welcome the coming of the New World Odour
  4. Uhrm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'm as likely to ride on something called "EZ-Rocket" as I am on "Valujet". Isn't rocket science supposed to be... uhrm, rocket science?

  5. I can hear it now by novakane007 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Geeks! In Space!!!"

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    WURD!!
  6. Re:Vacation Time by larry+bagina · · Score: 5, Funny
    One step closer to having honey moons in space? Wooo

    This is slashdot. Maybe a PERL conference in space, but not a honeymoon.

    --
    Do you even lift?

    These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.

  7. Educational uses by arvindn · · Score: 2, Funny
    We are very excited about the new engine since it moves us closer to our goal of a reliable and economical vehicle for space tourism as well as educational and commercial uses.

    I'm particularly fascinated by the educational uses. How long until high school teachers fire real rockets to demonstrate Newton's third law? That'd be the day! No more boredom in school :)

    1. Re:Educational uses by JUSTONEMORELATTE · · Score: 2, Funny
      How long until high school teachers fire real rockets to demonstrate Newton's third law?
      Dang, and I thought it was bad when my teacher hucked an eraser at me. DOOM has changed everything.
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    2. Re:Educational uses by worst_name_ever · · Score: 3, Funny
      Dang, and I thought it was bad when my teacher hucked an eraser at me.

      When I was in school, I actually had a physics professor who brought in a .22-caliber rifle and fired it at a swinging metal pendulum, in order to demonstrate transfer of momentum. None of us in the class were prepared for this, and were somewhat alarmed when this batty old guy pulled the rifle out from behind his desk and started shooting. I think he retired after that semester.

      --

      In Soviet Rush, today's Tom Sawyer gets high on you.
  8. Re:Vacation Time by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    "One step closer to having honey moons in space? Wooo"

    You have greater challenges towards having a honey moon than getting into space.

  9. how's it work? by SuperBanana · · Score: 4, Funny
    their new liquid oxygen/ kerosene rocket engine.

    When it runs low on pressure, do you have to pump the little plunger a zillion times until you're back to full-blast?

    (if you haven't been camping and used a coleman lantern, you won't get this.)

    --
    Please help metamoderate.
  10. I reckon.. by Soko · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...that you're trying to turn an urban legend into a real Darwin Award.

    Soko

    --
    "Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." - Anonymous
  11. Name... by plexxer · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hope he names the final design the BFR-3000.

    --
    The government's moral compass is controlled by GPS.
    In times of crises, they alter it to suit their needs.
  12. Stay Away from me by FortKnox · · Score: 1, Funny

    I have no problems with people shootin rockets this way and that, as long as its no where near me.
    Amateur rocketry usually leads to one thing (think "smoking empty boots sitting at the bottom of a large crater"), and I don't want to get hit with the shrapnel.

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    Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
  13. Radio Stations by phaetonic · · Score: 2, Funny

    This will boost the demand for XM Satellite radio, since it will be the only radio frequency to reach the moon