Rutans' X-prize Entry Tested In Re-Entry Configuration

evenprime writes "Burt Rutan's X-Prize entry has completed another drop test. This is the second drop over-all, and the first with its wings locked into their re-entry position. The flight results are here."

Comments

Pictures!

[elvesRgay]

This article really needs a link to some cool pictures. So here they are.

Scoll down to the bottom to get to the newest pictures. Hope the server doesn't get hammered.

Re:Pictures!

[bananahammock]

Perhaps like others (and maybe this point has been raised previously), I was curious why this "spaceship" has umpteen windows. Searching the Scaled website, this is addressed under FAQs. For those interested:

"The windows must be small to keep the weight of the vehicle down and they must be round to minimize the structural loads. This configuration is also the least expensive to manufacture. Each portal consists of two windows to provide redundancy for the integrity of the pressure vessel should one window crack or fail. The number and location of the windows were selected to provide the pilot a view of the horizon throughout SpaceShipOne's mission profile."

Drop-test?

[El]

Now if I could just get a laptop that would survive a drop-test from 47,000 feet...

NASA

[iCat]

If I worked for NASA, I might consider a change of employer.

Re:NASA

[turgid]

I think we're still in the very early stages yet, so don't be too hasty. Many more people will lose their shirts before things really get going. Maybe in 5 years time things will be more promising. If I worked for NASA, especially doing something technical, I'd be proud and happy working for such a hi-tech employer and getting all that experience and knowledge.

Steamrolling

[annisette]

Very little has slowed down Mr. Rutan from anything he wants to accomplish. This is a great accomplishment as all others he has worked on.

the others are keeping too quiet

[Spudley]

How come this seems to be the only project that's getting any attention?

Is it because it's the only one that's doing anything? Or is it more like it's the only one that's making all their results public?

(or quite possibly, in true slashdot tradition, it could be just because it's the one that looks the coolest? ;-))

Re:the others are keeping too quiet

[kalidasa]

Rutan's got a good reputation, and it seems like he's ahead of the other contestants. For the moment, anyway.

Re:the others are keeping too quiet

[at_kernel_99]

How come this seems to be the only project that's getting any attention?

Is it because it's the only one that's doing anything? Or is it more like it's the only one that's making all their results public?

(or quite possibly, in true slashdot tradition, it could be just because it's the one that looks the coolest? ;-))

To address your last point first, I'd say that, on slashdot anyway, Carmack is getting a lot more coverage & support than Rutan. I think mostly because he's famous for videogames, though I'm personally more impressed that he's willing to dedicate resources to a grassroots effort, because he's looking for a new challenge/hobby.

Rutan, on the other hand, has the resources as well as the vision. Frankly, I think his primary motivation is fed from some inner child still inspired by the science fiction of the 50's and the space race of the 60's. Lucky for him, he has the talent, experience & team to be able to chase that dream.

The Trials of Space Exploration

[Bob Vila's Hammer]

Its interesting how well this picture depicts perfectly the dynamics of geekdom - the clear indictation is located 6 persons from the left.

24 geeks, 2 super duper flying machines, one hot chick.

All Geeky Chics

[tqft]

..are hot

Can't Wait!

[at_kernel_99]

From the mission summary:

Observers in the chase Starship were treated to a closeup bizarre view of the spaceship plunging downward in a rock-stable near vertical feathered descent. First public showings of these videos will be on 26 September at the annual SETP symposium in Los Angeles.

I wouldn't bet on success

[Anemomenous Cowherd]

These early flights are all well and good, but:

1) They are low altitude flights

2) They are low airspeed flights

This is the easy corner of the flight envelope. The spacecraft will eventually have to go Mach 2+ and handle re-entry conditions. That will be the real test. The reasons I don't have a high degree of confidence they'll pull it off are:

1) Only CFD was used for design and analysis, no wind tunnel testing. This is a cardinal sin. Orbital Sciences has been burned twice for doing this, once on the first flight of the Pegasus XL, and recently on the first flight of the X-43A.

2) The thermal protection system consists of an ablative paint over the composite structure. Such a system has never been used on a re-entry vehicle. I do not believe it will provide sufficient protection.

3) The high-drag re-entry configuration, with a potentially inaccurate aerodynamics model, could put the vehicle in a vastly different re-entry trajectory than planned. The vehicle could be subjected to thermal and aerodynamic loads far greater than anticipated.

4) There are areas of the high speed/high altitude flight envelope that you can't just bite off one piece at a time. There can be uncontrollable speed/altitude regions in the flight envelope that require careful trajectory planning to avoid. Chuck Yeager found one of these regions in the NF-104A, that lead to a near fatal loss of control.

Yes, I know what I'm talking about. I'm an aerospace engineer.