Briefs: VTVL plans at Armadillo and MSS ; More videos

Leonard David reports on plans at Armadillo and Masten Space for next year's Lunar Lander Challenge: Despite Setbacks, Teams Set Sights On Lunar Lander Purse - SPACE.com - Oct.27.06.

No word here on whether Armadillo will also return to development of the Vertical Drag Racer (VDR image) and the high altitude 65 inch diameter vehicle (image)
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More X-Prize Cup Videos posted at Tales of the Heliosphere.

Posted 10/27/06 | 10:39:23 by TopSpacer | Filed under: Events

Comments

Always wondered why designers of VTOL including the DC-X all direct the propulsion thrust nozzles straight down. The sides of the DC-X were often scorched by the reflected thrust during landings. Why not angle them outward, similar to the launch escape booster nozzles on the Mercury and Apollo capsules. Directing the centerline of the thrust towards the vehicle CG. The angled nozzles would make for more effective guidance and avoid blunt base drag thrust reduction issues. I see Armadillo may have employed something similar on the high altitude vehicle.

Posted by Doug Gard at 10/27/06 13:55:39

Doug,
The main reason most avoid this is that you waste some of your thrust. The radial component of that engine's thrust is going purely to compressing the frame instead of accelerating the vehicle. Not saying it's impossible, just that it's likely better in the long run to make your vehicle more robust.

~Jon

Posted by Jonathan Goff at 10/27/06 14:36:55

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