The Step-By-Step DIY Approach To The X-Prize

HobbySpacer writes "According to this article, John Carmack's Armadillo Aerospace team is making steady progress towards a X PRIZE rocket vehicle. Playing the tortoise to Burt Rutan's hare , the Texas team just might win the race to 100km altitude. At least if some of the other teams don't get there first."

Comments

Re:Did I miss it or....

[WegianWarrior]

To qoute from the official guidelines:
The second flight must demonstrate economical vehicle reusability. It is the X PRIZE Rules Committee's intent that the winning flight vehicle should exhibit sufficiently low per-flight costs such that the flight vehicle will support low-cost space access. Toward this end, no more than 10% of the flight vehicle's first-flight non-propellant mass may be replaced between the two flights.

So, unless the nosecone contribuetes more than 10% of the dry weight of their vehicle, they could replace it without penalty.