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Rocket-powered breaks world land speed record (3 miles in 6 seconds)
SFGate ^

Posted on 05/02/2003 4:50:08 AM PDT by AppyPappy

Rocket-powered sled travels about 6,400 mph to break 1982 world land speed record

(05-01) 10:55 PDT HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AP) --

A rocket-powered sled shot down a 3-mile straightaway in about six seconds to break a world record that had stood for two decades.

The monorail sled set the land speed mark for rail vehicles early Wednesday at the Holloman High Speed Test Track, testing a 192-pound bullet-shaped payload being developed by the 846th Test Squadron and the Missile Defense Agency.

The test, in a remote area of the base, started with a brilliant, multihued blaze of rocket engines and ended in a spray of sparks when a missile carried by the sled slammed into an immobile target. There was silence until a split second before the end, when earsplitting bursts rolled across the desert floor.

"Psychologically, you think it's over. But then comes the sonic boom. I know it's coming. But I always jump a little," said Lt. Col. Russ Kurtz, director of operations.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: usaf

1 posted on 05/02/2003 4:50:08 AM PDT by AppyPappy
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To: AppyPappy
Good thing this wasn't past the local sheriff.

"6,400 MPH through a 45 MPH zone. Boy, yo's in a heap o' trouble."

2 posted on 05/02/2003 4:51:47 AM PDT by Poohbah (Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!)
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To: AppyPappy
That's roughly Mach 2.5 average speed. Average acceleration is 27.5 G - not enough to kill you (if you are properly restrained), but you won't be feeling any pain as you hit the target at the end of the 3-mile run.
3 posted on 05/02/2003 5:48:25 AM PDT by Fudd
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To: AppyPappy
What is the point of this experiment? Rapid light rail commuter trains?
4 posted on 05/02/2003 5:52:52 AM PDT by Ranger
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To: Ranger
I really don't know in this case but I know of one experiment a while back that assessed the capability of a bunker buster. Another good use would be to assess the adequacy of thermal protection systems' ability to fly through bad weather conditions. They also have one of these systems at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. There is a really entertaining story involving a monkey who rode the rail once told to me by an operator of that system.
5 posted on 05/02/2003 6:00:24 AM PDT by Movemout
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To: Movemout
wellll, what's the monkey story?
6 posted on 05/02/2003 6:23:37 AM PDT by Fudd
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To: AppyPappy
Maybe Bill wants to visit and take a ride, you know counter all that press coverage of the President on the carrier yesterday.
7 posted on 05/02/2003 6:23:58 AM PDT by Lockbox
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To: Fudd
The story exceeds my ability to tell it. Suffice it to say that the monkey was still alive at the end of a rather harrowing pre-PETA ride.
8 posted on 05/02/2003 6:51:14 AM PDT by Movemout
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