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Hot Rod Job For SpaceShipOne

rwven writes "MSNBC is reporting that the engine on SpaceShipOne has been modified to provide more thrust, for a longer amount of time. Mainly, the Nitrous Oxide tank has increased in size to lengthen the amount of time before the dropoff of thrust when it goes from a liquid to a gas. Also reporting is Space.com."

132 comments

  1. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  2. Liquid To a Gas by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    Sounds like the 12'o clock Double Fiesta Burrito Platter

  3. In related news... by nkrumm · · Score: 5, Funny

    In related news the name of the project has been changed to RiceRocketOne.

    1. Re:In related news... by ravenspear · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yeah, especially with a five foot tip.

    2. Re:In related news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yeah, I'm wondering where the "R Type" sticker, the spinning rims, neon lights, crookedly mounted (and way too tall) wing are.

      Actually, I'm disappointed. :(

      But hey, you've got to look at it in the "glass half full" way. They've got the thundering bass, and just look at the size of that exhaust tip (fart can).

    3. Re:In related news... by Any+Web+Loco · · Score: 4, Funny

      All the shuttle needs now is some Type-R stickers & it's good to go.

    4. Re:In related news... by metlin · · Score: 1

      Between the previous post and this one, I would say RideRocketOne sounds more appropriate ;-)

    5. Re:In related news... by bwy · · Score: 1

      Wonder if we'll see SpaceShipOne at Hot Import Nights, and if they'll have a girl modeling out in front?

    6. Re:In related news... by WormholeFiend · · Score: 1

      personally, I'd add chromed tailpipes with internal LED lighting, but that's just me.

    7. Re:In related news... by flewp · · Score: 1

      I dunno, this thing has actual performance mods. It'd be RiceRocketOne if it had 20 pounds of vinyl stickers, a huge wing that adds more drag than the added downforce is worth, neon lights, and some chach in the driver's seat with spiked hair (with frosted tips of course) and a gold chain.

      --
      WWJD.... for a Klondike bar?
    8. Re:In related news... by Cplus · · Score: 1

      Riddle me this...how can a rear spoiler be effective on a front wheel drive car. I was under the impression that the spoiler was to provide better traction for the driver wheels of the vehicle. Just a thought off the top of my head.

      --
      "Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality." -- Dalai Lama
    9. Re:In related news... by Zenmonkeycat · · Score: 1
      Recent pictures of test landings show the new 'look' of the spacecraft.

      http://picserver.org/view_image.php/S9V0B5BQGBWK/p .jpeg

      --

      *****
      Dear Mary,
      I yearn for you tragically,
      A.T. Tappman, Chaplain, U.S. Army.

    10. Re:In related news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It isn't. It's just there for looks. Same thing for rear wheel drive ricers. At the speeds they go, the amount of downforce generated is negligible. Performance-wise, they'd be better off sticking a sandbag in the trunk.

    11. Re:In related news... by ottothecow · · Score: 2, Informative
      Slashdot always gets this one wrong. Spoilers do not provide downforce, wings do.

      Spoilers break up the vacuume created behind an quickly accelerated car and can actually have a large effect (and at driveable speeds). So putting a spoiler on a FWD car has plenty of effect (providing it is a real aero spoiler and not just for looks).

      Now, a wing--which is what most ricers have anyways--will provide downforce on to the whole car, but primarily onto hte back wheels and therefore as you said, will do nothing for a FWD car. The wing also does not help acceleration...it helps cornering by holding hte car down when it is at speed (and therefore COULD help a FWD car). Pushing down on the car actually creates the effect of more weight and woudl decrease accleration, but would apply more grip to the tires at speed. In low speed acceleration (where you're wheels are most likely to lose traction and spin) the wing wont have enough downforce to make a difference...

      So yes, a wing is pointless on a drag-civic, but not a spoiler or a full aero kit.

      Disclaimer: I am not a honda fanboy...I am however a big fan of german cars and the best example of a real spoiler is the big whale tail on older 911's. And yes, when I see a riced out GTI or somethign with a wing and altezza's...I dont find it anymore attractive than a riced out honda. Just make your cars look right people...if something doesnt fit the image, dont bother.

      --
      Bottles.
  4. Oooh by iamdrscience · · Score: 4, Funny

    Next up: Spoiler, racing stripes and a window decal that says "Outta Space!".

    The racing stripes alone decrease wind resistance by 17% you know.

    1. Re:Oooh by BCW2 · · Score: 1

      In true Hot Rod fashion the bumper sticker goes on the back and reads:

      If you can read this, you're in second place!

      --
      Professional Politicians are not the solution, they ARE the problem.
    2. Re:Oooh by Mortiss · · Score: 1

      They should paint it red as well.

    3. Re:Oooh by iamdrscience · · Score: 5, Funny

      No no, "If you can read this, you're SpaceshipTwo".

    4. Re:Oooh by BCW2 · · Score: 1

      Second place is the first loser.

      "Second place sucks" - Dale Earnhardt Sr.

      --
      Professional Politicians are not the solution, they ARE the problem.
    5. Re:Oooh by evilviper · · Score: 2, Funny
      The racing stripes alone decrease wind resistance by 17% you know.

      And every spaceship needs "speed holes".
      --
      Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
    6. Re:Oooh by errxn · · Score: 5, Funny

      Don't forget the obligatory "Calvin taking a whiz on the NASA logo" sticker.

      --
      In Soviet Russia, Chuck Norris will still kick your ass.
    7. Re:Oooh by JackHolloway · · Score: 1
      So, where do I buy it :)

      --
      "It may just be that there is something fundamentally unworkable about government itself" -H. Beam Piper
    8. Re:Oooh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Aaaah yes most honolaburo customla! werucomu to a Matsumoto's CustomLocket Empolium. I hea you rookin fo good space lido...

      Fish....More than just sushi

  5. Just say N2O by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 5, Funny

    Using just a nitrous oxide charger and a balloon, I was never higher than low Earth orbit. But with a 60L tank, a garbage bag, and a mattress to jump on, I achieved full astral projection, even interdimensional travel! I recommend a complete crew of 1 extra spotter breathing 21:78:1 O2:N2:Ar2, for a safe return voyage. YMMV.

    --

    --
    make install -not war

    1. Re:Just say N2O by nateb · · Score: 2, Informative

      Ar is noble, isn't it? So that'd be O2:N2:Ar?

      --
      -- Nate
    2. Re:Just say N2O by syukton · · Score: 2, Informative

      The atmopshere is about 1% Argon. The distribution 21:78:1 is roughly that of an "ideal" human atmosphere. And just because it's noble doesn't mean it doesn't get involved with other atoms sometimes, which may make it a very necessary component to the workings of things.

      Wikipedia: Argon

      --
      Reinvent the wheel only at either a lower cost, greater effectiveness, or your own personal enrichment and satisfaction.
    3. Re:Just say N2O by deimtee · · Score: 3, Informative

      And just because it's noble doesn't mean it doesn't get involved with other atoms sometimes,

      Actually that pretty much IS what noble means.
      Chemists have to work fairly hard and use some rather extreme conditions to get noble gases to react with anything.

      --
      I'm guessing that wasn't on their radar screen...
    4. Re:Just say N2O by syukton · · Score: 2, Insightful

      No, noble means that an element doesn't usually get involved with other elements. Sometimes, however, under unique and rare conditions (pulsed lasers, low/high temperatures, high voltages) you can coerce noble elements into forming compounds with other elements. Just because it's noble doesn't mean that it doesn't get involved with other atoms sometimes, on occasion, though not often.

      Wouldn't it be interesting if it's an esoteric reaction between Argon and Carbon inside your brain that makes you self-aware?

      --
      Reinvent the wheel only at either a lower cost, greater effectiveness, or your own personal enrichment and satisfaction.
    5. Re:Just say N2O by deimtee · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yeah sure, my head is full of pulsed lasers and extreme temperatures : )
      Have you actually seen the conditions under which a compound involving a noble gas will even form, let alone hold together? Chemists get nobel prizes for that sort of thing.
      I don't think the conditions inside anyone's head are actually that extreme.

      --
      I'm guessing that wasn't on their radar screen...
    6. Re:Just say N2O by jackbird · · Score: 2, Informative
      It's not Nobel material. Actually there are a bunch of noble gas compunds. When Neil Bartlett synthesized the first in 1962, his paper concluded:

      "It is surely not without interest that no essentially new type of bonding needs to be postulated, and that conventional theories are able to account in a semi-quantitative way for almost all known experimental facts in this interesting series of molecules. It is no exaggeration to say that in principle almost everything described in this survey could have been said thirty years ago." (The Norton History of Chemistry, 1st ed., p. 340)

      In other words, it was an accomplishment of open-mindedness, not one of scientific brilliance.

    7. Re:Just say N2O by syukton · · Score: 1

      In other words, it was an accomplishment of open-mindedness, not one of scientific brilliance.

      Exactly!

      --
      Reinvent the wheel only at either a lower cost, greater effectiveness, or your own personal enrichment and satisfaction.
    8. Re:Just say N2O by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 1

      Ah, Ar2 is (was) the secret ingredient in our safety project. It's why our launches cost $2.5B - it certainly wasn't the mattress.

      --

      --
      make install -not war

    9. Re:Just say N2O by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      no its a natural high coming from mushroom spores spread around by old food

    10. Re:Just say N2O by grantdh · · Score: 1

      Using just a nitrous oxide charger and a balloon, I was never higher than low Earth orbit.

      Try 1,500 litres of medical grade nitrous, a regulator and a stack of balloons. We hit deep space time after time, taking quite a number of pax with us (we weren't called "Tank Sluts" for nothing :)

      Combine that with Amyl Nitrate (sp?) and whoops - there goes reality...

      Basically, take a big ol' hit of Nitrous and, when the "nang nangs" hit, do a real big hit of Amyl. What happens next is just awesome - the hand of god comes down out of the heavens, opens the top of your head, sticks a finger into your brain and goes like a mix-master/egg-beater.

      Don't try this at home, kids! :)

      --

      I left my body to science, but I'm afraid they've turned it down...
    11. Re:Just say N2O by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 1

      We discovered warp drive through a combination of liquid/ecstasy/nitrous. In space, no one can hear you scream, but it echoes forever.

      --

      --
      make install -not war

  6. Re:*** Questionable Content Detected *** by DarkMantle · · Score: 4, Funny

    It kinda looks like one with wings too.

    Even so, I can't wait till I can go for vacation on the moon. Now THAT would be getting away from it all.

    --
    DarkMantle I been bored, so I started a blog.
  7. Only one thing to do... by hookedup · · Score: 4, Funny

    *Insert Tim Allen grunts*

    1. Re:Only one thing to do... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  8. This is a Job Ad by superpulpsicle · · Score: 1

    SpaceShipOne has been modified to provide more thrust, for a longer amount of time.

    -Need engineer 24/7 willing to travel to repair the engine.

    -Pay rate $14 an hour US dollars. Contract to perm.

    -Will be reporting to 6 managers globally.

    -Time and a half pay on holidays.

    -No visas excepted.

    1. Re:This is a Job Ad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What about Mastercard?

    2. Re:This is a Job Ad by Moofie · · Score: 1

      Sign me up. Where do I send my resume?

      I'll also sweep the floors, and I'm a kick ass cook. Hire me.

      --
      Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
  9. Rice rice baby by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The giant "Type R" sticker they added makes it go 20% faster!

    1. Re:Rice rice baby by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Seems to have helped here

  10. Don't forget the bright yellow trim accents! by TigerNut · · Score: 1

    Everyone knows that Yellow Stuff Makes It Faster. And a big honkin' chrome tip.

    --

    Less is more.

  11. Witnesses reported seeing.... by Mateorabi · · Score: 0, Redundant

    a scotsman and a blind man with a hair clip hurredly fleeing from the scene.

    --
    "You saved 1968." - Ms. Valerie Pringle to the crew of Apollo 8

  12. Wasting precious resources by WillWare · · Score: 4, Funny

    They've got a big tank of nitrous oxide and they're using it as rocket fuel? Priorities here, people!

    --
    WWJD for a Klondike Bar?
    1. Re:Wasting precious resources by AndroidCat · · Score: 5, Informative
      The nitrous oxide is the oxidizer, they use rubber for fuel.
      SpaceShipOne uses a hybrid rocket engine that uses both liquid and solid propellant to propel it into space. The complete system consists of a liquid nitrous oxide (or laughing gas) oxidizer and a solid form of rubber fuel, which are burned together for about 76 seconds during an average flight, Benson said.
      They really are burning rubber into space.
      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    2. Re:Wasting precious resources by interiot · · Score: 4, Informative
      More here.
      • SpaceShipOne burns ... HTPB, a common ingredient in tire rubber.
      • In conventional rockets, propellant can be pre-mixed -- as in the solid rocket boosters (SRBs) used NASA space shuttle -- or sit in tanks that are filled just prior to launch, like liquid oxygen and hydrogen rockets. In both engine configurations, the are highly volatile and can be toxic to handle.

        "The fact that the oxidizer and fuel are not molecularly mixed in these [hybrid] engines, makes them non-explosive," explained Greg Zilliac, a hybrid engine researcher at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California. "We've actually shipped fuel grains by UPS in the past."

    3. Re:Wasting precious resources by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      C'mon you guys, enough with all the jokes. This just isn't punny any more.

    4. Re:Wasting precious resources by Rei · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Yeah. It's an easy fuel/oxidizer combo, but not very scalable. The specific impulse is just too low, and the nitrous tank too heavy. I do find it funny that they described hybrid rocket engines as not being "conventional rockets" ;)

      And before some of the posters here start going off on a "Specific impulse isn't everything!" line, I'll add: It's not everything, but it is *incredibly* important. And if you can't have lightweight tanks to compensate for your loss of specific impulse (which you can't with nitrous), you're not going to scale. Plus, using a carrier launch, you're not going to handle the spiralling mass increase very well.

      In short, this type of design, while great for getting the X-prize (it's very simple - self pressurizing, no liquid/liquid combustion, etc), would never scale to orbit. I'd like to see a good tow-launch LOX/subcooled propane rocket; that should be scalable and yet still take advantage of air breathing power to get to altitude, and wouldn't have to deal with LH.

      What everyone hopes for are some of the things that are on the horizon, that have high ISP without the various tank mass or cryogenic limitations. For example, alane (stabilized aluminum hydride) hybrid boosters, which have an ISP that even with a weaker oxidizer like H2O2, nears LOX/LH's isp, and a very high density. Everyone in rocketry would like such a panacea; however, for now, everyone has different opinions on what is the best way to go.

      --
      I was watching this thing on TV about some guy named Hitler. Someone should stop him!
    5. Re:Wasting precious resources by syukton · · Score: 1

      What do they usually make the tanks out of?

      --
      Reinvent the wheel only at either a lower cost, greater effectiveness, or your own personal enrichment and satisfaction.
    6. Re:Wasting precious resources by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > We've actually shipped fuel grains by UPS in the past.

      Yes quite safe...

      What was the rating on the richter scale in Las Vegas when the safe storage facility blew? You could see the shockwave roll across the dessert on video. Impurities spread by an explosion made the all the safe grains explosive?
      --
      Dennis SCP

    7. Re:Wasting precious resources by iabervon · · Score: 1

      I bet Laughing Liquid just isn't the same.

    8. Re:Wasting precious resources by j7953 · · Score: 2, Funny
      And if you can't have lightweight tanks to compensate for your loss of specific impulse (which you can't with nitrous), you're not going to scale.

      That doesn't matter though. The company we're talking about here already is Scaled.

      --
      Sig (appended to the end of comments I post, 54 chars)
    9. Re:Wasting precious resources by khrtt · · Score: 2, Interesting

      You are right about one thing, they seem to have chosen the lowest-possible performance design on all counts:

      1. Solid fuel = makes the whole fuel tank a propulsion chamber = large thick heavy wall -- compared to liquid fuel, where the pressure wall is just the little combustion chamber in the engine.

      2. Pressure fed oxidizer = thick walled heavy tank - compared to pump-fed design.

      3. There are fuels with much higher energy contents than HTPB/NOX.

      But then, you don't know what they did to the HTPB, but they did do something, otherwise the thing wouldn't burn fast enough to push a shopping cart, lest a space rocket. Whatever they did, maybe it had an effect on Isp as well.

      Secondly, you don't know what that N2O tank is made of. It could be some super-strong composite, rather than fiberglass/metal.

      And of course, they use high-altitude air-launch, which improves the mass ratio required for orbit.

      Overall, it looks like the engine takes up only a small portion of RubberRocketOne, compared to any old booster. So there is room to improve the mass ratio right there by putting in a biger engine.

      I'd kinda like to see some calculations, but without knowing the weight of the ship and the material of the nitrous tank it would be difficult to calculate anything interesting.

    10. Re:Wasting precious resources by Rei · · Score: 2, Informative

      Generally aluminum alloys or fiber. But that's largely irrelevant for this discussion; the key issue with nitrous tanks is that they need to be able to withstand *pressure*.

      You can pressurize the oxidizer tank in liquid/liquid biprop rockets, too, but people don't usually do it for large rockets (only small ones). Why? It means that you have to have thick (read: heavy) tank walls, and if you cut corners, you risk a catastrophic explosion.

      --
      I was watching this thing on TV about some guy named Hitler. Someone should stop him!
    11. Re:Wasting precious resources by Rei · · Score: 2, Interesting

      > Whatever they did, maybe it had an effect on Isp as well.

      http://www.astronautix.com/stages/spaipone.htm

      Nope. Besides, the N2O is as much of a problem as the fuel. It's a worse oxidizer than nitric acid and peroxide, which are both worse oxidizers than LOX (which is a worse oxidizer than FLOX, and especially than LF2, but few use the former and noone uses the latter)

      > Secondly, you don't know what that N2O tank is made of.

      Irrelevant. Because whatever it's made of, you could make a non-pressurized tank in a turbopump-fed rocket far lighter using the same material. Pressurized tanks have to be built a lot thicker than nonpressurized tanks, whatever you build them out of.

      > And of course, the use high-altitude air-launch, which improves the mass ratio required for orbit

      Not if they have to scale their craft up. With an ISP and tanks like this, they'd require a carrier craft that makes the An-255 look like a moquito by comparison. You'd be lucky to get such a huge carrier to lift it's own weight, since you'd need so much structural reinforcement.

      > Overall, it looks like the engine takes up only a small portion of RubberRocketOne

      But a major portion of its mass - and this will only get far worse due to the low ISP (btw, I assume you mean "tank" and "fuel/oxidizer").

      --
      I was watching this thing on TV about some guy named Hitler. Someone should stop him!
    12. Re:Wasting precious resources by IBX · · Score: 2, Informative

      Alane: I work with LiAlH4 frequently. This solid has to be kept very dry - or sparks will fly. This is definitely unsafe fuel in a manned flight. And it is a very expensive material to burn.
      As a rule, custom synthesis chemical companies do not like to work with LiAlH4 on kilo scale - they prefer safer alternatives for large-scale reductions. If they use it, they charge hefty premium because of the safety risks involved.(Unstabilized alane does not even need moisture - it self-ignites on air).

      Wall thickness (weight) of the oxidizer tank (for nitrous oxide) can be reduced with moderate refrigeration, -20C for example, which cheap to do and well above the boiling point of N2O (so the engine would still work without need for a turbopump). Nitrous could be stored separately and filled in before flight, refrigerated. Tank would need a safety valve to prevent over-pressure.

  13. Engine tweaking.. by iamdrscience · · Score: 3, Funny

    Nitrous, eh? I give it 15 years, tops, before all the ricers start to get their hands on these and put ground effects and body kits on all of them.

    On the plus side, if they crash them while driving like idiots they'll be even more likely to kill themselves.

    I love evolution.

    1. Re:Engine tweaking.. by Usquebaugh · · Score: 3, Funny

      "I love evolution"

      What's it look like from the side lines?

    2. Re:Engine tweaking.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hey! My 110 hp Honda Civic will toast any mustang. Didn't you get the memo, yellow==fast!

    3. Re:Engine tweaking.. by onepoint · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Well, the fact ( from personal usage ) is that Nitrous injection via a plate between the fuel injection and the manifold has been around 1983. I also saw a mazda with a rotary motor having water injection and was told that it had No2. Seen Honda's that are pulling clean 13's (seconds) with No2 since late 80's. Had a Cosworth motor that could redline at 11K, that I ran No2 ( very light system due to fears ) to help me out of curves.

      I can not recall the exact engine ( air ), but the year is 1944, the p-38 lightning ( Britains order) and the engine for the Huricane had No2 systems installed, tested, and aproved for usage ( if used I have no details ).

      Onepoint

      --
      if you see me, smile and say hello.
    4. Re:Engine tweaking.. by visgoth · · Score: 1

      Mid to late models of the Luftwaffe's BF-109 (G and onward I believe) had No2 and water injections as well. I believe some of their FW-190s did as well, and those used radial engines, aside from the D9 variant.

      --
      My patience is infinite, my time is not.
  14. 20% More Nitrous in Every Bite by Mulletproof · · Score: 0, Troll

    "Mainly, the Nitrous Oxide tank has increased in size to lengthen the amount of time before the dropoff of thrust when it goes from a liquid to a gas."

    So they'll be laughing themselves all the way into orbit? never know when you might need that extra 20% buzz...

    --
    You need a FREE iPod Nano
  15. Re:Hopefully they put on whistler tips also...... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    they just for decoration man, just for decoration!

  16. Green monster in space by poptones · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Look at the cutaway - it really is a "hot rod." It appears the n2o tank is, like, six feet in diameter and right behind the crew with the engine right behind that. Yeesh, it's almost like one of those jet powered dragsters with wings - and some brave soul is gonna take it into space? I guess the next evolution will be nothing more than a good flight suit, an engine, and some carbon fiber bungee cords...

    1. Re:Green monster in space by Paulrothrock · · Score: 1
      and some brave soul is gonna take it into space?

      Hell yeah. But only if gets me to orbit.

      Cause once you're in orbit, you're halfway to everywhere.

      --
      I'm in the hole of the broadband donut.
  17. More thrust by Matt+Perry · · Score: 1
    MSNBC is reporting that the engine on SpaceShipOne has been modified to provide more thrust, for a longer amount of time.
    Cool! Now it'll be able to do the quarter mile in 0.4 seconds!
    --
    Slashdot: Failed Car Analogies. Amateur Lawyering. Anecdote Battles.
  18. Re:OT: how does NOx work in cars? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's used for the same reason they're using it in the spacecraft, to add extra oxygen to the combustion process. More complete burn = more power.

  19. American Spaceship by ktakki · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hope the Discovery Channel picks this up next season...


    MONDAY

    VINNY
    Senior says that we have to have this spaceship ready for the X-Prize in November, but I just don't see it happening. We're just halfway through the mock-up and the combustion chamber has to be at the chromers by tomorrow.

    TUESDAY

    MIKEY
    (Takes out the trash)

    WEDNESDAY

    PAUL, JR.
    Whenever we do a theme spaceship, we always run into some problem. Like with this one, the attitude control thrusters were too close to the sissy bar. But Cody came through when he reversed the polarity of the positronic matrix and reconfigured the EPS conduits to emit tachyons through the deflector shields.

    THURSDAY

    PAUL, SR.
    I really had my doubts about this spaceship, but Justin came through in the end. He did a killer job on the tins and the flames and pinstripes on the body really make the design work.


    k.

    --
    "In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart." - Anne Frank
    1. Re:American Spaceship by doormat · · Score: 2, Funny

      If I had mod points, you'd get them ALL!

      --
      The Doormat

      If you're not outraged, then you're not paying attention.
    2. Re:American Spaceship by Crash+McBang · · Score: 1

      Hey, I'm watching American chopper and reading this! Hilarious! Take tomorrow off. You deserve it!

      --
      To put a witty saying into 120 characters, jst rmv ll th vwls.
    3. Re:American Spaceship by jwriney · · Score: 1

      Senior - "I swear, if he don't get this nitrous oxide tank out to paint by tomorrow, Paulie's gonna get my size twelve space boot *in his ass*."

      --riney

    4. Re:American Spaceship by TheSync · · Score: 1

      "I'm here to PIMP your SPACESHIP!"

    5. Re:American Spaceship by rwven · · Score: 1

      This is one of the funniest things i've ever read on slashdot

    6. Re:American Spaceship by Mastadex · · Score: 1

      Paul Sr.

      Im getting aggravated.

      --
      A morning without coffee is like something without something else.
  20. Add the ground effects and prismatic paint by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and Burt will have to beat the asian school girls off with a stick.

  21. Whenever someone says N2O... by The+Master+Control+P · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I can't help but think of the movie Black Sheep:

    [Spade and Farley are stoned on n2o, randomly laughing at nothing]
    [Moment of lucidity for Farley] Farley: I'm stoned. So are you!
    Both: [Random spastic giggling]

  22. Re:More thrust == colder beer by JuzzFunky · · Score: 1

    Methinks that they just want to get their beer cooler faster!

    --
    Unexpect the expected!
  23. Re:OT: how does NOx work in cars? by Sooner+Boomer · · Score: 5, Informative

    " Can somebody tell me what nitrous oxide does in a car engine? It's not a flammable gas, is it?"

    In a word, oxygen - nitrous contains more oxygen than air and is in a highly dense liquid form. In a car engine, nitrous, along with additional fuel is squirted into the intake. In the hybrid rocket engine, a large cylinder of rubber is the fuel; the nitrous is the oxidizer.

    --
    Chaos maximizes locally around me.
  24. not-however-an-actual-lowrider by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A lowrider is meant to look good and to move slowly so that everyone can see how good it looks.
    A lowrider is the antithesis of a hot rod.

    gewg_

  25. Re:OT: how does NOx work in cars? by CreateWindowEx · · Score: 5, Informative
    Since combustion of one unit of gasoline requires more than ten units of air (containing oxygen), most car engines are limited by how much air they can get into the cylinders--it's fairly easy to just squirt more fuel, but to get more air in you have to either force it in with a turbocharger or a supercharger or reduce sources of friction on the way in (lower-restriction air intakes, etc) or fool with cam timing. Nitrous oxide is a cheap and easy way of adding more oxygen for a short period of time, plus it has the added benefit of helping to cool the cylinders, preventing "knocking" (premature ignition of the fuel by "hot spots" in the engine == $$$ if left unchecked).

    Usually nitrous oxide systems are set up to inject extra fuel along with the nitrous oxide to keep the correct fuel/oxygen ratio.

    As an aside, F&F fans should realize that NOS (Nawz) is the logo of Nitrous Oxide Systems, not a chemical abreviation for nitrious oxide, although they spend a lot of money trying to get their name associated with it.

  26. Still doesn't beat the DaVinci project by markomarko · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Once fueled by Canadian ingenuity (and an old german rocket design), Canada's entry in the space race is now powered by faded dreams, bankruptcy, and lucky number seven!

    That's right, we're powered by the online casino goldenpalace.com. One particularly enthusiastic Canadian space race supporter jumped off a diving board at the Olympics wearing a pink tutu to draw further support for the program. If only we could get goldenpalace.com to support our olympic athletes. 12 medals total. blech.

    1. Re:Still doesn't beat the DaVinci project by garroo · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Yes, actually, it DOES beat the DaVinci Project, if they are successful with both flights.

      It beats them by a few weeks.

      Yes, Canada is very used to coming in with it's "Best personal achievement in a space race to date."

      Sorta just like the Olympic performance? Ya, Canada, your team SUCKS, quit justifying being 32nd with 'personal bests' and excuses. Oh, and tell CBC to quit interviewing and talking to the LOSERS in all those events. Nobody cares. It makes us look dumb, and it perpetuates the myth that "just playing is an honour".

      Well duh. But do you want your kids to aspire to medoicrity, or maybe have them shoot for gold?

      DaVinci Project - as much as I want it to win - is going to be an also ran. Nobody will care, but it might get a mention 'cuz of the casino angle.

      --
      Oh my gawd, they killed kenny's mod points!!!!
  27. Re:*** Questionable Content Detected *** by gujo-odori · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I have one mod point left, and if you were not already at +5, you would have it, good sir.

    As the leader of the email security team on a 100 million+ message per day network (that is, someone who spends all his time doing battle with spammers and phishers), this made me laugh my ass off. Thanks! :-)

  28. Homer by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 1
    One word:

    "Speed Holes"

    --
    Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
    1. Re:Homer by AlexMidn1ght · · Score: 2, Funny

      That's actually two words :P

  29. More Thrust ? by Onceat · · Score: 0

    Thats what she said , Whooooo !

  30. Re:OT: how does NOx work in cars? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative
    nitrous contains more oxygen than air

    Nitrous used as a drug has been mentioned a lot, so I want to point out that only fire can use this oxygen. To your body, nitrous has no usable oxygen. If you breathe it in pure for too long with no outside source of oxygen, you will pass out/die.

  31. Re:OT: how does NOx work in cars? by OldJohnno · · Score: 4, Informative

    The oxygen component actually provides only a small part of the power increase. NO2 has an extremely high latent heat of vapourisation - in other words it absorbs massive amounts of heat when it is injected and vapourises. This tremendous cooling effect allows a much denser cylinder charge and requires (a lot) more fuel be injected along with the NO2 to maintain the correct fuel/air ratio.

  32. Type R by Bin_jammin · · Score: 0, Redundant

    With the Japanese section added to the station, will it be given a giant aluminum wing, huge Type R stickers, 22 inch Sprewells, and a body kit that puts it in an orbit so low, it knocks over your chimney?

  33. OB Simpsons by laejoh · · Score: 4, Funny
    Buzz: Homer, you broke the handle.
    Race: With that hatch open, we'll burn up on re-entry! That's it: if I
    go, I'm taking you to hell with me.
    Homer: Wait a minute, Race. Wait a minute...wait!
    [breaks off a support rod]
    Aha! Now I'll bust that pretty face of yours!
    [tries to swing it, but it catches in the door]
    Aw, stupid bar.
    Buzz: Wait, Homer. If that bar holds, we just might make it back to
    earth.
    Homer: Oh. [voice rising] I'll bash you good!
    -- One-track minds, "Deep Space Homer"
    1. Re:OB Simpsons by laejoh · · Score: 1
      It's funny on so many levels!

      Homer: Oh. [voice rising] I'll bash you good!


      ...

      I'll korn you good!

  34. Changes made to improve flight profile by hpulley · · Score: 4, Informative

    What has not yet been mentioned in this /. discussion is briefly, though not directly, mentioned in the aforementioned space.com article. The changes to the engine were made at least partly to offset the previous glitch encountered during the previous flight. "...the increased liquid nitrous oxide should delay that drop off and provide more thrust earlier in the flight, when SpaceShipOne's control surfaces can still bite into the Earth's atmosphere for steering." They hope this will allow them to reach their target altitude this time (almost missed the space altitude last time) without having to resort to secondary guidance systems.

    --
    $#!^ happens, but why does it always have to happen to me???
  35. Re:OT: how does NOx work in cars? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Will it work on my Kromag?

  36. did they test it? by bwy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I wonder how much testing this new engine config has received? I don't believe it has gotten any flight time- it would have to be all ground tests.

    Seems kind of concerning to me. When I finish working on my car, it sure as hell might crank up and idle okay in the garage but it is usually hit or miss the first time I take it on a road test. Obviously, these guys are better rocket scientists than I am a car mechanic, but you get the point...

  37. Rule 1 in Project Management by sckienle · · Score: 1

    When I read this, one of the first rules of project management popped into my head:

    Never just the engineer when he says, "The change is trivial; nothing else will be effected."
    --
    I don't see things in black and white; I see the gray. Heck, I actually see in color, which makes things more difficult
    1. Re:Rule 1 in Project Management by yellena · · Score: 1

      affected

    2. Re:Rule 1 in Project Management by Proteus · · Score: 1

      Never just the engineer when he says, "The change is trivial; nothing else will be effected."

      Well, yeah. I wouldn't trust an engineer that didn't know the difference between "affect" and "effect" either.

      --
      We may not imagine how our lives could be more frustrating and complex—but Congress can. – Cullen Hightower
    3. Re:Rule 1 in Project Management by tgrigsby · · Score: 1

      You mean you wouldn't "just" the engineer? "Trust"? "Thrust"?

      No, I certainly wouldn't thrust an engineer with bad grammar. Unless she was really cute, that is. And then she can have as bad a grammar as she wants. Although that might make "dirty talk" rather amusing, and there's nothing like a good guffaw to ruin a great thrusting....

      --
      *** *** You're just jealous 'cause the voices talk to me... ***
  38. Re:OT: how does NOx work in cars? by Ellis+D.+Tripp · · Score: 1

    The N2O disassociates into nitrogen and oxygen at combustion chamber temperatures, and the oxygen allows additional fuel to be burned, producing the horsepower increase. The nitrogen content acts as a "detonation buffer", preventing preignition of the mixture from the increased chamber pressures/temperature.

    The other thing that nitrous does is to act as a "chemical intercooler" when injected into the intake manifold. When the liquified gas flashes into a vapor, it absorbs large amounts of heat, cooling the intake charge and increasing it's density.

    --
    Remember "News for Nerds, Stuff that Matters"? Help make it a reality again! http://soylentnews.org
  39. X-Prize flight date announced. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Scaled COmpsites has announced that they are going for it on 29 Sept.

    http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/index.htm

  40. What isn't said... by RayBender · · Score: 4, Interesting
    is why they are hot-rodding the vehicle. I saw mention that the increased burn time would allow SpaceShipOne to achieve higher speed at lower altitude "where the control surfaces can bite into the air"; this tells me they are working to fix the near-disaster they had on the last flight. It sounds like they have no control authority outside the atmosphere - i.e. that whatever reaction-jet system they have isn't working well, and they are having to jury-rig a fix. Increasing the impulse of a rocket by 20% (which is what they are doing) is a significant, and risky, change. They wouldn't be doing it unless they had to.

    --
    Human genome = 3 billion base pairs = 6 GBit. Windows + Office = 20 Gbit. Which is more impressive?
  41. Re:OT: how does NOx work in cars? by CausticPuppy · · Score: 1

    Nitrous used as a drug has been mentioned a lot, so I want to point out that only fire can use this oxygen. To your body, nitrous has no usable oxygen. If you breathe it in pure for too long with no outside source of oxygen, you will pass out/die.

    At least you'll die happy.

    --
    -CausticPuppy "Of all the people I know, you're certainly one of them." -Somebody I don't know
  42. Course Now.. by bigattichouse · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Modifications in design invalidate the hardware test, and put it up there in the "risky" category again... esp. with the modification being an increase in the amount of fuel hangin' around. I hope they had this intent in the first phase (we start with this size tank, and move up to this one later)...

    --
    meh
  43. New Version Number? by permaculture · · Score: 4, Funny

    So it's not yet SpaceShipTwo.

    SpaceShip1.2, perhaps?

    --
    Environmentalism is the new Victorianism. Everyone ties on a green corset and pretends we're virtuous.
    1. Re:New Version Number? by Psyrg · · Score: 1

      The Microsoft DirectSpaceShip team would be up to at least version 9.2a by now.

      We wont even talk about the nVidia Detonator team... :)

  44. Welcome! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    To three fucking months ago!!!

  45. Re:*** Questionable Content Detected *** by Cobalt+Jacket · · Score: 1

    You smell penis?

  46. Scaling? by jmichaelg · · Score: 1
    And if you can't have lightweight tanks to compensate for your loss of specific impulse (which you can't with nitrous), you're not going to scale.

    Could you elaborate on that?

    1. Re:Scaling? by Rei · · Score: 2, Informative

      Nitrous oxide suffers from the same problems that a rocket without a turbopump (using instead gas pressurized tanks) suffers from: the tanks need to be built with thicker walls to withstand the pressure, which makes the rocket a lot heavier. While small, simple rockets will sometimes pressurize their tanks, few big rockets ever do - it just plain adds too much weight, and increases the risk of catastrophic explosion if you cut corners.

      --
      I was watching this thing on TV about some guy named Hitler. Someone should stop him!
  47. I need NOS! I need NOS. by ncttrnl · · Score: 0

    My Spaceship topped out at mach 3 this morning.

  48. Actually, it doesn't. by AzrealAO · · Score: 1

    DaVinci's first flight is set for two or three days after SpaceShipOne's first flight. It'll all hinge on turn-around time, provided both first flights are successful.

    Scaled Composites says they're looking at a potential 5 day Turn-around if everything goes smoothly.

  49. also to F&F Fans... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you say or type nawz you sound like a dumbass. Real racers say nitrous, unless they say "giggle gas" or some other even weirder version.

  50. N2O by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It sound like you know what you are doing... But it's N2O, not NO2.

    1. Re:N2O by OldJohnno · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I realised I'd made a mistake after I'd submitted. What /. really needs is a "Preview" bu... oh never mind.

  51. Ar2? by einhverfr · · Score: 1

    Since when does Argon bind to anything?

    Or do you live in an alternate universe after your NO2 experience.

    Just say N2O drugs... Wait....

    --

    LedgerSMB: Open source Accounting/ERP
  52. Re:OT: how does NOx work in cars? by Psyrg · · Score: 1

    nitrous contains more oxygen than air
    Compared to liquid oxygen though, they should be pretty similar in oxygen content. The the reason nitrous oxide is used rather than liquid oxygen is that when NO2 is used as an oxidiser, the nitrogen atom that is evolved releases a large burst of energy when it forms N2. Ie:

    2 N02 => N2 + 2O2 + energy.

    The following is a link explaining the energy difference between an N-O bond and an N-N bond. Simple nitrogen chemistry

  53. Re:*** Questionable Content Detected *** by gujo-odori · · Score: 1

    HTF can something be redundant when no one else posted anything like it?! Oh, wait, this is Slashdot, where being on crack guarantees you mod points. Except for me. I'm not on crack and still get mod points all the time, and I use them to reward the intelligent and punish the foolish. M2 is also a very good weapon for that (note that these are not defined in terms of "agrees with me" and "doesn't agree with me." I have often modded up people with whom I vehemently disagreed b/c they presented a cogent and well-formed argument, even if I did not share their opinion and/or conclusions).

    All crack-crazed mods, be forewarned that I M2 daily and have been doing so for years. I mark ALL Redundant mods unfair as a matter of policy. If you care what happens to your moderations in M2, *do not* mod anything Redundant. I will get you. You may, however, mod this as a troll, although I'm not trolling you. I'm completely serious.

    This isn't really about the moderation, it's about the fact that some people are clearly too stupid to have mod points and yet get them anyway. OK, you can mod that flamebait if you like.

    P.S. I know I'll get modded down for this, but...

  54. They have to do this because... by gijoel · · Score: 1

    John Carmack caught Burt Rutan dating Betty Rizo and challenged him to a drag race around the ISS.