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On Fourth Launch Attempt, SpaceX Falcon 1 Reaches Orbit
xp65 writes with the just-announced success of Elon Musk's SpaceX's long efforts to reach orbit with a privately-developed launching craft: "T+0:08:21 Falcon 1 reached orbital velocity, 5200 m/s Nominal Second stage cut off (SECO) — Falcon 1 has made history as the first privately developed liquid fueled launch vehicle to achieve earth orbit!"
dbullard adds "This was a completely new vehicle — it's not using any previously developed hardware. All developed from scratch. No government supplied hardware, Russian engines, or old ICBM motors. My hat's off to the employees of Space X — all 550 of them. (Note — no 'cast of thousands,' just 550).
They've got video of the entire launch."
given the track record of the government during dubba's presidency, giving a private corporation $280 million to do nothing would be minor. after all they've spent Trillions of dollars on iraq, and are floating a 700 billion golden parachute for mortgage backed securities. without addressing the fundamental problem that lead to the failure of Mortgage backed securities and without helping people keep the homes they borrowed against...
i mean, he's such a generous guy giving his circle of friends trillions of dollars....
https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
Check your facts before you call someone and idiot next time you cocksucker.
When did I call you an idiot? I've just been trying to understand your reasoning. Why are you so hostile?
Sadly, gasoline (trailed slightly by diesel) is still the best fuel for powering wheeled vehicles.
What makes Petrol (Gas) better than Diesel?
Diesel has a greater energy density, and can be converted into power more efficiently (even taking the higher energy density into account). Modern diesel engines are also quite clean, and have pretty ridiculous emission control standards placed on them. The new diesel Volkswagens achieve comparable gas mileage to a gas-powered hybrid, while providing a considerably higher torque/power output.
What's the advantage of gasoline then? Diesel may not be popular in the US for personal vehicles, but it's used almost universally in delivery vehicles, non-electric locomotives, and about half of the personal vehicles in Europe.
-- If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done? - Uli's moose
Diesel has a greater energy density
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_density It all depends on whether you measure by mass or volume.
can be converted into power more efficiently
How so? Higher compression?
The new diesel Volkswagens achieve comparable gas mileage to a gas-powered hybrid
Please don't think I'm slighting diesel. It's why I tied it closely with gasoline.
"I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
How so? Higher compression?
Pretty much. Between forced induction (Practically every diesel is turbocharged and turbocharging a diesel is easier than with a gas engine) and the fact that diesel inherently is more resistant to knocking, so you can push the compression significantly higher.
Diesels are about 45-50% efficient, compared to gas engines which are about 25-30% efficient.
upon the advice of my lawyer, i have no sig at this time
Some people are working on making petrol engines more like diesel engines:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DiesOtto
Citigroup predicts conservatively that the price of gold will be 2000-3000 dollars with in a year or so.
Translation - expect the US$ to fall 70%, and if youre lucky, no revolution.
Liberty freedom are no1, not dicks in suits.
I took one look at that lollipop capsule and knew Ares I at least was doomed. Lollipops don't stand up too well.
I'm a much bigger fan of DIRECT nowadays.