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New Rocket Engine Successfully Tested

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the flatulence-you-can-get-behind dept.

inetsee writes "XCOR Aerospace announced that their new methane-oxygen rocket engine has been tested successfully. This is reported to be the first successful test of an engine using the combination of methane and oxygen as fuel. The fuel has higher specific impulse than kerosene and oxygen, but until now has been thought to have too much 'technology risk'."

16 of 162 comments (clear)

  1. I want to contribute to rocket science! by Big+Nothing · · Score: 1, Funny

    I actually have a crapload of methane to donate, whom do I contact?

    --
    SIG: TAKE OFF EVERY 'CAPTAIN'!!
    1. Re:I want to contribute to rocket science! by ackthpt · · Score: 2, Funny

      I actually have a crapload of methane to donate, whom do I contact?

      Bumper sticker: Save Gas - Fart In A Jar

      --

      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  2. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  3. Re:risk? by scharkalvin · · Score: 3, Funny

    Guess he meant the smell of 'Natural' Methane.

    If the astronauts run out of rocket fuel and get stranded they can always eat beans.

  4. Methane rocket by bdowd · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...and the cow jumped (?) over the moon...

  5. Cattle powered by dr_db · · Score: 4, Funny

    Will this be rated in cowpower?

    I can see it now - "Where do you stupid bovines think you're going? The mooooooooooon?"

  6. Re:risk? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    the smell is added so you can detect leaks.

    Same reason god made farts smell - for the benefit of others.

  7. Re:No by kfg · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is a small engine mounted to the back of a trailer.

    Are they contemplating the Final Solution for trailer trash or something?

    First they came for the trailer trash and I didn't say anything because I wasn't trailer trash.
    Then they came for the phone sanitizers . . .

    On the other hand it's a free ride into space. Maybe I'll get a mullet and rip the sleeves off my t-shirts or something. Take that Ansari.

    KFG

  8. Re:Wonderful! by kfg · · Score: 2, Funny

    Methane gas is utterly renewable. You can make it from shit

    Petroleum is utterly renewable. You can make it from plants.

    KFG

  9. Re:Wonderful! by ultramk · · Score: 4, Funny

    You know, in the context of this post, your username is truly disgusting.

    M-

    --
    You catch enchiladas by picking them up behind the head and holding them underwater until they don't kick anymore -VeGas
  10. Protestor sign of the future by Chris+Burke · · Score: 3, Funny

    No Blood for Poop!

    --

    The enemies of Democracy are
  11. Metric or Imperial? by emarkp · · Score: 3, Funny

    Now, is "crapload" the metric unit?

    1. Re:Metric or Imperial? by TClevenger · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's like tons. The imperial measurement is the "crapload"; the metric measurement is the "metric crapload."

    2. Re:Metric or Imperial? by MadUndergrad · · Score: 3, Funny

      No, crapload is imperial. The metric unit is "ass ton", not to be confused with the imperial "asstonne", which is roughly equivalent to .9 ass tons and is exactly equal to a gross craploads.

  12. Re:Additional cost savings? by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 5, Funny
    Could you mix LOX and liquid methane in the correct proportion in the same fuel/oxidizer tank and eliminate 1/2 of the pumps/plumbing, etc?

    Sure you could do that... if your goal was to simulate the blast effects of a small nuclear explosion.

  13. Re:risk? by l1gunman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nope. It's so that the hearing impaired can enjoy them, too.