Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

20,000 Show up for X-Prize Expo

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the that's-why-man-invented-landing-pads dept.

Zacharski writes to tell us that the X-Prize Cup Expo was held Sunday in Las Cruces New Mexico in front of about 20,000 people. John Carmack was there with his team from Armadillo Aerospace. From the article: "Armadillo Aerospace got their rocket-powered, vertical takeoff, vertical landing vehicle off the ground. Blasting off into the sky then hovering for a few seconds, the craft began lowering itself to the ground - but tipped over on touchdown. The wet ground due to overnight rain was the cause, although the craft appeared undamaged in the fall. An internal hose was punctured, however, causing subsequent flights to be scrubbed." The expo also ended with quite a bang when Starchaser's Churchill Mk2 rocket engine blew up.

8 of 87 comments (clear)

  1. When Carmack is involved... by erroneus · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...it spells "DOOM!" ...or sometimes Quake... there's a much funnier joke in there somewhere...I think

    1. Re:When Carmack is involved... by Chairboy · · Score: 5, Funny

      > there's a much funnier joke in there somewhere...

      Yet you skillfully navigated directly past them. Astonishing precision.

      For example, you could have expressed surprise that everyone was surprised when all he did was 'rocket jump'.

  2. Well, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm glad no one was killed, but these failures should help to remind us that rocketry is really quite dangerous. If we had a responsible government, there would be more regulation to protect the public from these experiments.

  3. Flight picture here by pmike_bauer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Here's a picture

    --
    I read /. for the (Score:-1, Conservative) comments.
  4. Starchaser blew up by terrymr · · Score: 3, Funny

    There's a surprise ... pretty much an every time occurance for them.

  5. worlds largest enchilada by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    20,000 people sounds impressive until you learn that more than that came to Las Cruces to see the worlds largest enchilada.

    http://www.twefie.com/

    It's in the Guinness Book of World Records.

  6. Test flight! by ericfnj · · Score: 3, Funny

    Here is the best test flight of all, IMO. Full ignition was not achieved. However, termainal velocity was achieved. P.S. Does anyone else wonder if this is the state of this contest?

  7. 20,000 showed up, 5,000 by accident... by digitaldc · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...5,000 attendees thought it was a place to meet and celebrate their favourite pr0n stars.
    The expo also ended with quite a bang, it was told.

    --
    He who knows best knows how little he knows. - Thomas Jefferson