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

Posted by timothy on from the one-among-many dept.

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."

3 of 27 comments (clear)

  1. Pictures! by elvesRgay · · Score: 5, Informative
    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.

    1. Re:Pictures! by bananahammock · · Score: 3, Informative

      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."

  2. The Trials of Space Exploration by Bob+Vila's+Hammer · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

    --


    --"The perfect example of the man of action is the suicide." - William Carlos Williams