[BenLurkin]

ping

[Darksheare]

LOL, I cannot explain why, but the most twisted an unique idea came to mind.
Aerospace execs wrestling in a ring for the contracts.
/ end silliness.


Interesting, thanks for the find!
More on the CEV, makes me wonder which one will eventually be built.

[Tallguy]

ping.

[DoughtyOne]

In my perfect world an SSTO would be the winner. It probably won't be, and that may be for good reason.

I don't necessarily like the idea of an airbag landing of a crew compartment. If that landing follows a parachute deployment then my concerns would likely be alleviated.

[Echo Talon]

Burt Rutan of Scaled Composites should get in the running. :D

[orionblamblam]

Compete? Bah. The competition is already over. CEV's are commercially available NOW.

http://www.up-ship.com/

[Question_Assumptions]

Lockheed's design is based on the lifting body concept proven in flight tests by NASA at Edwards Air Force Base in the 1960s and 1970s.

Lifting Body? Hmmm......

"It looks good at NASA One."
"Roger."
"BCS Arm switch is on."
"Okay, Victor."
"Lining Rocket Arm switch is on."
"Here comes the throttle."
"Circuit breakers in."
"We have separation."
"Roger."
"Inboard and outboards are on."
"I'm comin' forward with the side stick."
"Looks good."
"Ah, Roger."
"I've got a blow-out in damper three!"
"Get your pitch to zero."
"Pitch is out! I can't hold altitude!"
"Correction, Alpha Hold is off. . . Turn selectors . . . Emergency!"
"Flight Com! I can't hold it! She's breaking up, she's break--"

(Info on the real crash here.)

[KevinDavis]

[tet68]

I'll tell you, if they expect this to fly in five years,
thing are going to start moving FAST, SOON.

[Die_Hard Conservative Lady]

If Boeing wins this contract, it will be interesting to see if the vehicle will be built in the same location as the Space Shuttle, Plant 42, in Palmdale, California.... That would be great!