Copenhagen Suborbitals posted this video of
a double test of the Launch Escape System rocket motor. It uses a solid propellant known as “Galcit 61 C” and produced 5,6 kN thrust for 0.6 sec. Its a 1/3 version of the “real” LES SRM to be used for a improwed LES system.
ISP was 195 sec, chamber pressure 120 bars, propellant mass 1,56 kg.
Here is a crowd-funding campaign for an effort to develop the Exosphere space vehicle in a manner similar to that used for open software: Exosphere Open Hardware Space Shuttle – Indiegogo –
The open hardware space shuttle project is an effort to bring the masses together to work on a spacecraft that can be owned by anyone. (Government regulations apply) The goal is to design and build a modular, reusable, and affordable space vehicle. Governments are the only ones that had access to space until recently. Privatization of space has opened the possibilities up for everyone.
The main problem we all have at this point is the means or ability. There are no shuttles we can own, yet. Private companies have a lot of capital invested in their designs and need to get a return on those investments. Because of this, the price for a ticket is higher than the annual salary of almost all Americans. By completing a design together – with Exosphere to ensure government regulations, safety standards, and testing are done properly – we could all have the ability to go to space in our lifetimes.
The official announcement about the nametheshuttle contest mentioned here recently:
Space Center Houston launches “Name the Shuttle” contest throughout Texas
Texas residents have the unique opportunity to name the Shuttle replica that will rest atop the massive 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft at JSC’s Official Visitors Center
HOUSTON – Officials with Space Center Houston, the visitors center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center (NASA-JSC), today launched a free, statewide contest that gives one lucky Texan the opportunity to personally name the full-scale Space Shuttle replica that will sit atop the massive 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) as part of a new $12 million, six-story attraction currently under development. The “Name the Shuttle” contest will run through Labor Day. It will give Texans the chance to show their support of America’s space program and to honor the men and women who worked on the Space Shuttle Program during its 30-year history.
“A year ago, the nation watched in excitement as the Space Shuttle replica made its historic arrival via barge from the Kennedy Space Center to the banks of Clear Lake,” said NASA-JSC Center Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa. “I’m very pleased that Space Center Houston will be the home of not only this high-fidelity Shuttle replica, but also the NASA 747 as its base. Houston will be the only place on our planet where you can climb onboard the huge SCA and Shuttle and experience the iconic Space Shuttle program in the most dynamic, hands-on environment imaginable.”
To enter the contest, residents can visit nametheshuttle.com and submit an original name that symbolizes the spirit of Texas and its unique characteristics of independence, optimism and can-do attitude. All entrants will receive an email verification of submission and a thank-you coupon for discounted admission to Space Center Houston. A panel of judges will select one winner, who will be announced in mid-September.
The selected name will be painted onto the side of the Space Shuttle replica, and the winner will have his/her name and hometown incorporated onto a placard at the new attraction. Plus, the winner will receive a three-day trip for four to Space Center Houston, which includes a VIP tour of the facility, a behind-the-scenes experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, hotel accommodations, meals and travel compensation. The winner will also be invited to attend and participate in the grand opening ceremony in 2015.
“Our new addition will undoubtedly become Texas’ newest ‘must-see’ attraction and will provide a truly unique classroom to inspire students in engineering and science,” said Richard Allen, president of Space Center Houston. “It would only be fitting for a Texan to name this iconic piece of history.”
A prominent group of Texas-based companies are serving as Space Center Houston’s contest partners. They include Corner Store, Discount Tire, Kroger and Mrs. Baird’s Bread.
Full contest details are available at www.nametheshuttle.com.
About Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is the official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center and is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) education foundation with award-winning educational programs designed to inspire and encourage students to consider a career in math and science. Space Center Houston features a multitude of permanent exhibits, attractions and theatres and is open every day with the exception of Christmas Day. Space Center Houston is located at 1601 NASA Parkway; Houston, TX 77058. Please visit www.spacecenter.org.
The remains of the massive Project HARP space cannon look pretty forlorn: Project Harp, a giant space gun in Barbados, is now abandoned – Slate
Credits: Graham on flickr
Carsten Brandt is doing some very nice, super-realistic renderings of Copenhagen Suborbitals rockets and other hardware: Space Capsule Splashdown – Wired Science/Wired.com.
Conceptual illustration of Tycho Deep Space II splashdown. Image: Carsten Brandt
