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European Shuttle Program Update

Posted by timothy on from the going-up dept.

Rolo Tomasi writes "ESA's reusable launch vehicle demonstrator, Phoenix, was recently wind tunnel tested to determine its low speed aerodynamics. A free flight for Phoenix is planned for early summer 2004. In case you haven't heard of it yet, here's an article from last year, describing the Phoenix/HOPPER concept. Here's another page at ESA, but it seems to be available only in German. What's interesting is the first sentence of the DLR press release, stating that (my translation) 'Europe's future and competitiveness in space substantially depend on an autonomous access to space and 'on a drastic decrease in the transport costs of getting there.'"

21 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. Bad choice for a name? by nordicfrost · · Score: 3, Funny

    I mean Phoenix was a bird of fire, maybe ESA should name it after something that does not soar across the sky in fire?

    1. Re:Bad choice for a name? by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Funny

      "I mean Phoenix was a bird of fire, maybe ESA should name it after something that does not soar across the sky in fire? "

      Well they'd already rejected the name Icarus.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    2. Re:Bad choice for a name? by danila · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yeah, but perhaps Phoenix would be a good name for Brazilian space project.

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
    3. Re:Bad choice for a name? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      That's okay, it's just the project codename...

    4. Re:Bad choice for a name? by Trurl's+Machine · · Score: 1, Funny

      Dobro pozhalovat', tovaristch :-). Thanks for the link. Seeing you writing:

      In Russia we do enjoy black humour and we find it important to laugh about the problems that we (or others) face.

      couldn't help but write: In Soviet Russia... black humour enjoys you :-)))

  2. Good choice for a name? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    They are hoping if it does crash and burst into flames that it will just rise from the ashes reborn. Phoenix technology would have saved the NASA space program billions.

  3. Carmack!!! by cliffy2000 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Where is John Carmack to explain this to us when we need him? Why have you left us, Carmack?
    WHY??? ::weeps over keyboard::

  4. NASA gets lots of grief but... by Omega1045 · · Score: 3, Funny

    With all the grief NASA gets, one should note how much this proto looks like the shuttle. It is nice to know that a bunch of smart US geeks built something cool back in the 1970s that is the model for today's new designs. Hopefully this one's systems are much less complex. Now why can't we (US) get off our arses and start developing a serious replacement for the shittle (spelling intentional). Now that Al gore is not doing anything, perhaps he can invent something new for us. I mean, really, he invented the internet some years ago. Isn't it time he got cracking on some new stuff for us?

    --

    Great ideas often receive violent opposition from mediocre minds. - Albert Einstein

    1. Re:NASA gets lots of grief but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny


      Hey, you guys already got the fantastic super duper laser shield coming. Should be costing enough tax dollars already I should think.

      -- don't be afraid of the void my friend, is it not merely the logical next step?

  5. Re:Manned space flight is only for romantics by NanoGator · · Score: 1, Funny

    "...just is not a very friendly environment for men. Machines are much more suitable and they don't require a return ticket."

    Must... resist... yo mama... joke...

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  6. Re:German language links on slashdot... by ExEleven · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let it be known that I am a multi linguist, who believes in international peace and love!!

    Explain the nick name then "evil_one666".

  7. I seriously hope ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    that the DLR are NOT involved in the ESA space flight programme!

  8. Re:Manned space flight is only for romantics by zarniwhoop · · Score: 2, Funny

    >>>Space just is not a very friendly environment for men

    but its great for women !

  9. Space Travel by rf0 · · Score: 2, Funny

    We don't need shuttles just a very big catapult

    Rus

    --
    Cheap UK and US VPS
  10. Not so bad indeed. by presroi · · Score: 1, Funny

    Phoenix only incinerates itself every 500/1000 years. This is a tolerable lifetime for a space vehicle, imho.

    Short intro about the phoenix bird in German and English

  11. Cheaper flights with Ryan-air? by adeyadey · · Score: 4, Funny

    Simple solution, get Ryan-air to do it!
    Then we will get:

    Moon - from 15.00 return
    Mars - from 25.00 return
    Sun - from 35.00 (one way)
    etc..

    Spaceport taxes not included.
    Of course if you want to travel at
    a time *you* want the cost is:

    Moon - from 2.5 billion return
    etc..

    --
    "You lied to me! There is a Swansea!"
    1. Re:Cheaper flights with Ryan-air? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      As long as you don't mind been dropped off ~1000 kilometers from your destination and taking a bus / plane the rest of the way.

  12. Breaking news: Phoenix renamed by schlpbch · · Score: 3, Funny

    to ESAFirebird because of copyright infringement.

    (Next logical step these days: a joke including SCO)

  13. Don't Hold Your Breath by N8F8 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is this thing going to launch before or after they launch their GPS replacement system? Or finish the ISS?
    Besides, shuttles just are soooo 80's.

    --
    "God fights on the side with the best artillery." - Napoleon, Marshal of France - speaking truth to power
  14. Re:We should send someone to Mars to stay there by Paulrothrock · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'd volunteer to live on Mars. Anything to get away from idiots who see no use in a manned space program.

    --
    I'm in the hole of the broadband donut.
  15. decrease costs? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    That's good, because there's nothing those European socialists know how to do better than cause prices to... uhh... rise, actually.