Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Hot Rod Job For SpaceShipOne

Posted by timothy on from the not-however-an-actual-lowrider dept.

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."

21 of 132 comments (clear)

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

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  2. 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.

  3. 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 iamdrscience · · Score: 5, Funny

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

    2. 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
    3. 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.
  4. 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

  5. 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.
  6. Only one thing to do... by hookedup · · Score: 4, Funny

    *Insert Tim Allen grunts*

  7. 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 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)
  8. 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?

  9. 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.
  10. Re:Homer by AlexMidn1ght · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's actually two words :P

  11. 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"
  12. 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.