X-Prize Progress Update

savuporo writes "The X-Prize organization has released a summary document (PDF), detailing the recent progress and immediate plans of 13 different competing teams, of those who have publicised information of significant hardware development (there are a total of 27 officially listed competitors from seven nations by now). Some details: quite a few teams are expecting to do full-scale or subscale powered flight tests soon, some as early as January 2004. Burt Rutan can still be considered as leading the pack, but others are not too far behind, and the winner is far from certain. Armadillo Aerospace states that some US teams are hindered more by regulatory hassles, than technical issues. Speaking of Armadillo, the team has just released a very special video, commemorating tomorrow's 100th anniversary of powered flight."

Comments

lol

[Quasar1999]

regulatory hassles? If those regulations weren't there, everyone and their dog would be building inter-continental ballistic missiles, and claiming to be contending for the 'X-Prize'...

The government damn well better keep those regulations in place... otherwise WWIII here we come!

Re:lol

[Moofie]

Considering how there's pretty much one shape that makes any sense for a rocket, that shouldn't surprise you very much.

Blam!

[i_am_syco]

I'm still wondering whether John Carmack's ship is going to have a BFG 9000 on it or not.

Re:Blam!

[Camel Pilot]

Remember the unidentified "Blam" sort of noise that created such an uproar on the space station a few weeks ago?

Well maybe we already have an X-prize winner and they have not yet claimed the prize.

Re:Makes you wonder

[pinchhazard]

It really makes one wonder where we would be if Goddard had restrictions on fuel sources and flight space or even where the Wright Bros. would be if they had to constantly check with local authorities every time they wanted to make a flight.

The Wright Brothers would be in the same place now regardless of the governmental regulations of 1903. Unless inventing airplanes is a condition for getting into heaven.

Heh

[Ryvar]

I love the objective point of view Fountainhead Entertainment and the rest of the ultra-libertarian Rand fanbois express in the 100 years of flight vid.

Nevermind that a good portion of the redtape involved has nothing to do with the environment - it's easier to just paint yourself as wounded by crazies on a crusade than rationally represent the problems the other side has with your actions. Not that I don't sympathize with Armadillo Aerospace here (the bureaucracy mindlessly bent on preventing its citizens from doing anything out of the ordinary is a tough thing to stare down), but it's good to know KAK was kicked out of id before she could really Yoko Ono Carmack . . .

Re:This is what's needed

[Nucleon500]

Would you be willing to PAY money to take risks like that?

Perhaps we could convince McBride to go. Heck, I'd pay $699 for that!

Armadillo is Canadian?

[peacefinder]

I wonder why Armadillo is listed as a Canadian effort in the X-Prize PDF. Maybe I just haven't been paying close enough attention lately... did we trade Texas for Quebec when I wasn't looking?

Hmm... come to think of it, maybe that's not such a bad idea.

Re:Armadillo is Canadian?

[Anonymous Coward]

But who would want such a self-centered bunch who always have to have one of their own bossing the whole country?

Sounds like an even trade.

Re:This is what's needed

[Anonymous Coward]

how much is a metric buttload in pounds?

Lies of the Patriarchy!!!!!111

[Anonymous Coward]

There's no need for all of these rockets to be penis-shaped. A vagina-shaped rocket would work just as well, if not better!

Re:Makes you wonder

[jonbrewer]

Should Carmack be able to buy rocket fuel?
If you have to ask that question, you've never played Doom.