The private sector has picked up the ball that the government inevitably dropped. SpaceX is further along, and that vertically landing first stage of theirs is an amazing achievement.
It's exciting to be a kid again, even an old one like me!
Posted by Brett_McS at March 2, 2015 2:48 AMBeing part of a manned payload would be quite a ride. After getting dropped from the plane you'd become near weightless until that first stage kicked in. Then you'd be slammed back in your seat by multiple G's as you shot out of the atmosphere.
Posted by ThomasD at March 2, 2015 7:20 AMThe US space program is dead.
Long live the American space program!!
Posted by leelu at March 2, 2015 7:31 AMNASA could not design a system as shown. Their mission from obozone onward is muslim outreach.
Posted by Terry at March 2, 2015 8:41 AMCool Beans!
The payload capacity is also large enough for a 2-3 person manned payload.
Posted by Don Rodrigo at March 2, 2015 9:52 AMre: "The payload capacity is also large enough for a 2-3 person manned payload." DR
Rocket pictured is not liquid fueled. Solid Rocket accelleration would be over 9 Gs sustained with lethal effects on humans onboard.
Dan Kurt
Posted by Dan Kurt at March 3, 2015 8:11 AMDan:
Correct, almost. I meant the capacity of any vehicle the aircraft could carry. And 9 Gs is not lethal, just not preferred. Ask any of the old geezers who rode rocket sleds to higher accellerations than that in the 50's.
Posted by Don Rodrigo at March 3, 2015 10:53 AMI assume "The Roc" is a reference to the mythical giant bird.
Posted by Don Rodrigo at March 3, 2015 10:54 AM