What Can We Learn from Burt Rutan's Spaceship?

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In summary, the conversation discusses various aerospace technologies and their potential for success, including the Tier One project by Scaled Composites and the NASP program. There is also mention of the potential impact of fuel on these projects, as well as the recent success of Australian scramjet experiments. Despite the potential challenges, the conversation ends on a positive note with a well-known phrase from the Star Trek franchise.
  • #1
drag
Science Advisor
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Greetings !

Get a load of this news :
http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/index.htm

Live long and prosper.
 
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  • #2
Nice, you can't overestimate Rutan.
 
  • #3
And still didn't see anything that addresses the problem of fuel. Since that is the only problem that really needs to be addressed for the X-prize, I remain dubious. But with Burt, one never knows.

I still think the NASP (National Aerospace Plane) is the program most likely to succeed. Especially now that the Australians have shown us that a scramjet can work.
 
Last edited:
  • #4
Greetings !
Originally posted by LURCH
And still didn't see anything that addresses
the problem of fuel.
What's the problem with fuel ?!
Originally posted by LURCH
Especially now that the Australians have shown
us that a scramjet can work.
All that rocket experiment did is eject hydrogen
as an envelope around the special nose and
demonstrate drag reduction as a result because
the reactions (small explosions/high temp.) helped
in some way (don't remember how exactly).

That is NOT a scramjet ENGINE ! To make a scramjet
engine will be a bit more difficult...:wink: Though
the above drag reducing technology is probably
more important for now for air travel.

Live long and prosper.
 

What is Burt Rutan's spaceship?

Burt Rutan's spaceship, also known as SpaceShipOne, is a suborbital spaceplane designed and built by aerospace engineer Burt Rutan and his company Scaled Composites. It was the first privately funded and built spacecraft to reach space.

When did Burt Rutan's spaceship make its first flight?

Burt Rutan's spaceship made its first flight on June 21, 2004. It reached an altitude of 328,491 feet, becoming the first privately funded aircraft to reach space.

What was the purpose of Burt Rutan's spaceship?

The purpose of Burt Rutan's spaceship was to demonstrate the feasibility of low-cost, private spaceflight. It was also a part of the Ansari X Prize competition, which offered a $10 million prize to the first privately funded spacecraft to reach the edge of space twice within two weeks.

How many flights did Burt Rutan's spaceship make?

Burt Rutan's spaceship made three successful flights in total. The first flight was on June 21, 2004, the second on September 29, 2004, and the third on October 4, 2004.

What was the impact of Burt Rutan's spaceship on space exploration?

Burt Rutan's spaceship was a major milestone in the development of private spaceflight. It showed that space exploration is not limited to government agencies and opened up opportunities for further private investment in space technology. It also inspired other companies, such as Virgin Galactic, to pursue commercial spaceflight ventures.

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