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SpaceShipOne Breaks the Sound Barrier
Scaled Composite Press Release ^
| December 17th, 2003
Posted on 12/17/2003 1:44:59 PM PST by Frank_Discussion
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To: Frank_Discussion
These guys deserve a BIG bravo, something like a ten-minute standing ovation for this accomplishment. Great job! Simply outstanding!
21
posted on
12/17/2003 2:18:55 PM PST
by
Elliott Jackalope
(We send our kids to Iraq to fight for them, and they send our jobs to India. Now THAT'S gratitude!)
To: RadioAstronomer
Ping.
To: ericthecurdog
Have any other than the concept plane flown? The one I saw at Oshkosh a few years ago had not even flown at that time, but I read it had flown a while later. I don't remember reading that it had broken the sound barrier, either.
To: ericthecurdog
Did the BD-10 ever fly?
To: ericthecurdog
the BD-10 (dubbed the Micro Systems Aerial Target, MSAT) as its entry in the next generation target drone market-place
There are 2 BD-10s left. Grounded.
25
posted on
12/17/2003 2:22:21 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Close your tag lines)
To: chaosagent
Did the BD-10 ever fly? Yes. Not sure if it ever went supersonic, but it sure crashed.
26
posted on
12/17/2003 2:23:30 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Close your tag lines)
To: RightWhale
When do you think the feds will step in and take over?
27
posted on
12/17/2003 2:27:16 PM PST
by
philetus
(Keep doing what you always do and you'll keep getting what you always get)
To: philetus
As soon as Rutan bids on a gov't contract.
28
posted on
12/17/2003 2:29:32 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Close your tag lines)
To: RightWhale
Which he already has, by association with the manufacturer of the hybrid motor, who has directly or indirectly bid on gov't contracts.
29
posted on
12/17/2003 2:30:56 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Close your tag lines)
To: RoughDobermann
Wasn't mocking the design capability of the crew, just playfully stating it looks a heck of a lot like a star ship from Star Trek in its shape.
To: Frank_Discussion
Only in America. Things like this let you know the American spirit is still alive and well; it is private individuals trying to do things no one has done before that makes the US great. Out-freakin'-standing.
31
posted on
12/17/2003 2:31:36 PM PST
by
tortoise
(All these moments lost in time, like tears in the rain.)
To: ericthecurdog
I'm pretty sure the BD-10 never went supersonic.
32
posted on
12/17/2003 2:33:05 PM PST
by
RoughDobermann
(Nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.)
To: RoughDobermann
It sure is weird looking!
33
posted on
12/17/2003 2:34:24 PM PST
by
CyberAnt
(America .. the LIGHT of the World)
To: HamiltonJay
Wasn't mocking the design capability of the crew, just playfully stating it looks a heck of a lot like a star ship from Star Trek in its shape.I knew what you were saying. Just be goofy. All of Rutan's designs look the had some input from the Federation. :-)
34
posted on
12/17/2003 2:34:55 PM PST
by
RoughDobermann
(Nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.)
To: RightWhale
Look guys I'm glad that this has happened, however 1) its NOT the first time it has been done as someone else has pointed out, and 2) starting out with the problem already solved by government research before you ever get started definately makes your task of replicating it simpler!
This is hardly an example of private industry "CREATING" new technology.... who do you think had a harder time, the Write Brothers or the guys who built aircraft 10 years later? You cannot dismiss that technology largely advances on top of previous discoveries and advances. I am not trying to deminish this accomplishment, but if there weren't already many supersonic aircraft flying these guys would still be working out the kinks... they can like all developments piggyback on those that came before... you can't claim this thing happened in a Vaccuum... it didn't.
To: CyberAnt
If you think SS1 is weird looking, check out the mother ship: White Knight
36
posted on
12/17/2003 2:37:28 PM PST
by
RoughDobermann
(Nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.)
To: HamiltonJay
its NOT the first time it has been done That's also not the point. This is merely a test-flight on the way to achieving the goal, and the goal has never been achieved, not even by the mighty government.
37
posted on
12/17/2003 2:39:19 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Close your tag lines)
To: HamiltonJay
What part of "That's right, no gov't funds. No gov't interference aside from the usual permits." do you not understand?
Yes, they stand on the shoulders of giants. Nobody is saying they don't.
But they are the first to get off the dime.
NACA, the USAF, and NASA may have done this before, but not this quickly and certainly not as cheaply. The accomplishment is great, and currently, singular.
38
posted on
12/17/2003 2:40:36 PM PST
by
Frank_Discussion
(May the wings of Liberty never lose a feather!)
To: RoughDobermann
The BD-10 has been grounded. Some mistakes, some lessons learned (this is the important part).
Throughout history, most if not all SUCCESSES have been after a string of failures. Both of the Rutan's have had many failures. Unfortunately (due to TV/Hollywood where everything succeeds the first time) the public believes that failures indicate someone is a loser, or a failure.
In reality, failures are a sign of progress towards success, and success is usually not possible without some failures.
Just check to see how many light bulb filaments FAILED, before one was found that was a SUCCESS!
39
posted on
12/17/2003 2:40:55 PM PST
by
UCANSEE2
("Duty is ours, Results are God's" --John Quincy Adams)
To: HamiltonJay
starting out with the problem already solved by government research The problem of inexpensive access to space has most definitely not been solved; that's the whole point of the X-Prize.
you can't claim this thing happened in a Vaccuum... it didn't.
Of course not; nothing has since the wheel. But this is a major step forward and a demonstration that private enterprise is capable of things that many believe are only possible with huge government programs.
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