The EZ-Rocket wasn't designed for maximum performance, its a demonstrator to show routine operations of rocket-powered vehicles. Reusable launch vehicles won't be commercially viable until you can fly every day without having to take the vehicle apart.
Its not necessarily a step back. We have been able to build it for a fraction of the cost of past efforts, a key part to making this business a business.
A good example would be how the MAEs & NAPs were privatized. One company (MFS, Sprint, etc) got the facilities contract, another got the routing arbiter contract (ISI), etc. These contracts helped build the companies and privatize the infrastructure.
Big difference from what NASA wants to do. NASA wants to compete against everyone else and that is the wrong idea.
The Long-EZ was picked because it has a very good glide ratio. Without the prop, it apprantly glides even better. Dick is the original factory test pilot and he probably has more hours flying this airplane than anyone.
Slashdot Mirror
The EZ-Rocket wasn't designed for maximum performance, its a demonstrator to show routine operations of rocket-powered vehicles. Reusable launch vehicles won't be commercially viable until you can fly every day without having to take the vehicle apart.
Its not necessarily a step back. We have been able to build it for a fraction of the cost of past efforts, a key part to making this business a business.
A good example would be how the MAEs & NAPs were privatized. One company (MFS, Sprint, etc) got the facilities contract, another got the routing arbiter contract (ISI), etc. These contracts helped build the companies and privatize the infrastructure. Big difference from what NASA wants to do. NASA wants to compete against everyone else and that is the wrong idea.
This just isn't fair. Private corporations having to compete with highly subsidized government entities is not free market.
The Long-EZ was picked because it has a very good glide ratio. Without the prop, it apprantly glides even better. Dick is the original factory test pilot and he probably has more hours flying this airplane than anyone.
John is also an investor in our company. His work is very complimentary to what we are doing