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The Mk-II Aurora rocket-powered suborbital spaceplane has been cleared for unlimited-speed test flights at an altitude of up to 80,000 ft - Dawn Aerospace The Mk-II Aurora suborbital spaceplane took to the skies last year for its maiden flight with a rocket engine. Now Dawn Aerospace has been give the official nod from New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority to undertake test flights at unlimited speeds. "This unlocks the next major performance milestone for the Mk-II vehicle, namely supersonic flight," said Stefan Powell, CEO of New Zealand's Dawn Aerospace. "To the best of our knowledge, this would be the first privately...

The world’s tallest tower swing ride, which sends those foolhardy enough to get on-board a whopping 400 feet up in the air, was officially opened on Saturday at the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park in Arlington. The Texas SkyScreamer allows up to twenty-four riders to sit in open-air swings while spinning in a 124-foot circle at speeds up to 35mph. At its 40 story peak - and if the riders still have their eyes open - they can see not only Arlington, but also Dallas and Fort Worth.

Thrill Ride To Dangle Passengers 900-Feet Over Vegas Strip POSTED: 2:28 p.m. EDT October 17, 2003 UPDATED: 4:21 p.m. EDT October 17, 2003 A new thrill ride at the Stratosphere Tower will dangle passengers 900-feet above the Las Vegas Strip, according to a Local 6 News report. Video New Thrill Ride Dangles Passengers Over Vegas Strip The "X-Scream" is designed to give thrill seekers the ultimate adrenaline rush. A video animation shows how riders will slide from one end to the other -- until they literally dangle over the strip. The ride has already been tested in Utah, but...

NEW YORK (AP) _ The Cyclone, perhaps the world's best-known roller coaster, turns 75-years-old today. The Coney Island landmark first opened to thrill seekers on June 26, 1927, and still offers a 60 mph ride on 1.6 miles of track, including 12 drops. When it first opened, a ride on the Cyclone was 25 cents. These days the same ride will cost you $5 _ except for today, between noon and 5:00 p.m., when rides will sell for 75 cents to celebrate the Brooklyn coaster's silver anniversary. There will also be Ragtime music, a 1920s swimsuit contest and a...