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India Plans Hypersonic Space Plane by 2007
MaximusTheGreat writes "While India has announced plans for a hypersonic plane (speeds greater than mach 5) before, this is the first time a firm date for test of an unmanned plane has been given. Final version of this plane called Aerobic Vehicle for Hypersonic Aerospace Transportation (AVATAR) is envisaged to deliver a 500 kg to 1,000 kg payload to low earth orbit. It will reduce the cost of space travel to a fraction to what it is today, by being completely reusable. Also, by allowing hypersonic speeds, it would for example reduce the travel time from Sydney, Australia to New York to less than 3 hrs. The crucial technology in the development of Hypersonic planes is supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet). India has already demonstrated the basic technology of ramjets by the development of world's fastest cruise missile Brahmos which outspeeds famous US Tomahawk by three times, and by ground tests of scramjets. US, Australia and Japan are also pursuing similar programs."
RESUME / George W. Bush The White House, USA
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
LAW ENFORCEMENT:
I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol. I pled guilty, paid a fine, and had my driver's license suspended for 30 days. My Texas driving record has been "lost" and is not available.
MILITARY:
I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL. I refused to take a drug test or answer any questions about my drug use. By joining the Texas Air National Guard, I was able to avoid combat duty in Vietnam.
COLLEGE:
I graduated from Yale University. I was a cheerleader.
PAST WORK EXPERIENCE:
I ran for U.S. Congress and lost.
I began my career in the oil business in Midland, Texas in 1975.
I bought an oil company, but couldn't find any oil in Texas. The company went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock.
I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a sweetheart deal that took land using taxpayer money.
With the help of my father and our right-wing friends in the oil industry (including Enron CEO Ken Lay), I was elected Governor of Texas.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR:
I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies, making Texas the most polluted state in the Union.
During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog-ridden city in America.
I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of billions in borrowed money.
I set the record for the most executions by any Governor in American history.
With the help of my brother, the Governor of Florida, and my father's appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President after losing by over 500,000 votes.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT: I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of over one billion dollars per week.
I spent the U.S. surplus and effectively bankrupted the U.S. Treasury.
I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in U.S. history.
I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any 12-month period.
I set the all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of the U.S. stock market.
I am the first president in U.S. history to enter office with a criminal record.
I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one year period.
After taking-off the entire month of August, I presided over the worst security failure in U.S.history.
I am supporting development of a nuclear "Tactical Bunker Buster," a WMD.
In my State Of The Union Address, I lied about our reasons for attacking Iraq, then blamed the lies on our British friends.
I set the record for most campaign fund-raising trips by a U.S. president.
In my first year in office over 2-million Americans lost their jobs and that trend continues every month.
I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month period.
I appointed more convicted criminals to administration than any president in U.S. history.
I set the record for least amount of press conferences than any president since the advent of television.
I presided over the highest gasoline prices in U.S. history.
I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut in duty benefits for active duty troops and their families-in war time.
I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously protest me in public venues (15 million people) shattering the record for protest against any person in the history of mankind.
I've broken more international treaties than any president in U.S. history.
I'm proud that the members of my cabinet are the richest of any administration in U.S. history. My "poorest millionaire," Condoleeza Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named after her.
I am the first president in U.S. history to order an unprovoked, pre-emptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign nation. I did so agains
Cat got your tongue? (something important seems to be missing from your comment ... like the body or the subject!)
Snacks -- it's the snacks what are missing.
Metamoderating with benign indifference and a dash of randomness since 1812.
These countries (China, India, et al) have larger problems than the lack of a space program
As an aside, China is doing something about its larger problems, the space program is very minor compared to social and economic development going on, but is a valuable and low-cost hedge against space-related development/exploration in the future (its not like when space becomes the 'next big thing' a space program can be constructed overnight).
My main point(!) is whether this creates risk. India has a foul history of conflict with its neighbour Pakistan, and fought a war with China in the 50s (though this, thankfully, seems to be a thing of the past). Were India creating a purely non-military programme then great, if it were to announce the creation of a new super-fast ICBM everyone would jump on the backs. I hope this is not a charade for a super-fast ICBM and that the Indian government doesn't see the need to accelerate the new nuclear arms race.
On balance I accept this for its technical and commercial benefits, but the nuclear risk sticks deep in the back of my mind.
karma karma karma karma karma chameleon, you come and go, you come and go.
What's tragic is the personal hygiene of Howard Dean supporters. Why, I have several friends myself who have succumbed to his snakelike "charm"--oh, what the hell am I talking about? He has all the charm of a smegma-sour penis caught in an apple corer.
What good is basic infrastructure if 10 mintues after you achive it your enimies in [Pakatain or China] invade in destroy it all?
There needs to be a balance. Without basic infrastructure you cannot create defense, without defense you cannot hold your infrastructure.
Unless you would argue that China and Pakistan are not willing to invade India. I would disagree there. (though I wouldn't be entirely surprized if India attacked first)
"I am sure you are pissed. However your 'facts' and arguments are completely false"
Your reply is well-thought out and researched, however, I rarely do this except for equals. For the people who man our call centers, I generally give a gentle command to get back to work and ignore them.
They are a beautiful, gentle people with an ancient culture, but they have a voice like fingernails on a chalkboard and should be discouraged from using that voice. I recommend a chalkboard, if they are smart enough to work chalk.