Second Hypersonic X43 Scramjet Ready for Testing

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Second Hypersonic X43 Scramjet Ready for Testing

Posted by michael on Sunday February 1, 2004 @02:52PM from the stand-waaaaaay-back dept.

Dan writes "I am sure most of you remember how NASA was forced destroy their first hypersonic X43 seconds in it's maiden flight, which was a big setback for the american hypersonic scramjet program. Well NASA just finished one of the final tests and is preparing to launch it as early as February 21! I wish them the best."

13 of 434 comments (clear)

Comment removed by account_deleted · 2004-02-01 14:53 · Score: 4, Funny

Comment removed based on user account deletion
I'm Glad by rasafras · 2004-02-01 14:59 · Score: 5, Funny

I think scramjets are really the solution to low cost travel, including to low-earth orbit and space. I only hope that travel with scramjets will not end up going the way of the Concorde...

...though I bet Bush will fund it so he can land one on an aircraft carrier!! *rimshot*

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webpage
Slashdotted by Anonymous Coward · 2004-02-01 14:59 · Score: 5, Funny

Looks like they were forced to destroy their server on its maiden Slashdot voyage.
Re:Purposeful Flame War post by smack_attack · 2004-02-01 15:14 · Score: 2, Funny

Fucking space terrorists. Thank God we're being proactive with this looming threat.

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Hammer of Truth
Re:Impressive technically but ... by smack_attack · 2004-02-01 15:25 · Score: 5, Funny

Man them with pundits. They we are overstocked here on terra firma anyways.

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Hammer of Truth
spend your mod points on me! by msg1825 · 2004-02-01 15:30 · Score: 0, Funny

Is this off-topic, troll, redundant or what? You decide!
It reminds me of by Fat+Jedi+Kid · 2004-02-01 15:50 · Score: 2, Funny

red rocket, Red Rocket, RED ROCKET, Red Rocket!!!
Ah, but this one's different... by ackthpt · 2004-02-01 15:57 · Score: 5, Funny

I think i speak for most of us when i say, no, I don't remember.
This one, IIRC, is built for use by Halliburton to deliver water to Iraq.
It's all no-bid, hush-hush, very patriotic and stuff.

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A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Hypersonic British buses by Pig+Hogger · 2004-02-01 16:06 · Score: 1, Funny

Do the brits have hypersonic buses???
When you do a google search about "X43", although you get a page in the "Science > Technology > Space > Launch Vehicles" category, the first result is about the bus service between Calne and Marlborough.
Star Wars.. by euxneks · 2004-02-01 16:34 · Score: 3, Funny

Does anyone else think that the X43 looks like a death star? Am I going crazy or have I been hanging around the Comp Sci labs too much?

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in girum imus nocte et consumimur igni
Re: vegan reduce IQ? That's unpossible! by some+guy+I+know · 2004-02-01 18:03 · Score: 3, Funny

Being a vegan tends to reduce both IQ and memory retention.
No it don't.
I am an vegan and my Ike you is ....
Wat was the queschin?

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Those who sacrifice security to condemn liberty deserve to repeat history or something. - Benjamin Santayana
Re:Impressive technically but ... by Catharz · 2004-02-01 18:26 · Score: 3, Funny

The X-15 pilots were needed mainly because they didn't have good enough automatic control systems. Now that we have them, there's no reason to risk human lives just to tinker with high-speed rocket planes.

I think this automatic control system is very close to being perfect AI. It's doing a great job of impersonating a pilot that's had a 3 beer lunch.

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To know that you know what you know, and that you do not know what you do not know, that is true wisdom. --Scooby Doo
Rocket Scientists.. by Flaming+Death · 2004-02-01 21:10 · Score: 0, Funny

Isn't it amazing the number of 'rocket scientists' on slashdot...