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Armadillo Aero One Step Closer To Space

RobertB-DC writes "The folks at Armadillo Aerospace have taken another step toward the X-Prize, dropping their re-entry vehicle from 2000 feet with no major problems noted. As usual, the Armadillo crew documented the event with text, pictures and video, and the story is also covered by Space.com (though without as many cool technical details). It's a bumpy ride, though -- instruments recorded some 10 G's on touchdown."

9 of 213 comments (clear)

  1. 10 Gs? by LeoDV · · Score: 4, Funny

    Were their inertion dampening fields down?

  2. Finally! by cybermace5 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now they're getting somewhere. John Carmack finally quit trying to win the prize by running at brick walls and firing a Stinger missile at the ground.

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  3. Break even? by grennis · · Score: 5, Funny
    instruments recorded some 10 G's on touchdown

    I'm not sure how much it costs to put this thing up. But, at 10 G's per touchdown, a bunch of more of these and they may get close to breaking even!

  4. ROFLOL by matth · · Score: 5, Funny

    From the website:

    Too many users... blah blah blah

    Probable cause: http://www.slashdot.org

    Try again in a few seconds...

    -xian@idsoftware.com

  5. Re:Ever see a dead Armadillo? by PD · · Score: 3, Funny

    I've seen a dead armadillo, but I've never seen a dead armadillo cooked in rocket fuel. That would be new.

  6. some 10G's??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny
    It's a bumpy ride, though -- instruments recorded some 10 G's on touchdown.

    Good thing they only recorded some 10 G's. If those 10 G's had been present all over the craft, who knows what kind of complications could have arisen. I'm sure the design team will find a way to spread those 10 G's throughout the craft, reducing the overall readings to a manageable 2 or 3 G's.

  7. I want Doom 3 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Stop playing with those rocket thingys and go finish your job!

  8. Re:10Gs? by The+Dobber · · Score: 4, Funny


    Yeah, but they are probably in pretty good physical condition. Your average geek gets woozie just bending over to pick up that stray cheese doodle.

  9. Armadillo first in space? by dogfart · · Score: 3, Funny

    seems like a lot of trouble to squach an armadillo. Usually speeding cars do just fine.

    --

    "dope will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no dope"