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X-Prize Progress Update

Posted by michael on from the wild-black-yonder dept.

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."

5 of 154 comments (clear)

  1. Blam! by i_am_syco · · Score: 5, Funny

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

    1. Re:Blam! by Camel+Pilot · · Score: 3, Funny

      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.

  2. Re:Makes you wonder by pinchhazard · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

    --
    Do you love freedom??? Do you love freedom!!! DO YOU LOVE FREEDOM!!!!!!!!
  3. Armadillo is Canadian? by peacefinder · · Score: 4, Funny

    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.

    --
    With reasonable men I will reason; with humane men I will plead; but to tyrants I will give no quarter. -- William Lloyd
  4. Re:Makes you wonder by jonbrewer · · Score: 4, Funny

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