Rocket racer revealed

Space Geek #675 — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:28:23 GMT

We keep hearing about rocket racing and suborbital flights... it would be nice to see something happen in the near future instead of having to wait years and years for it.

I guess the stereo-typical fan base for rocket racing instead of 'red-necks' will be the 'space-geeks' which are probably harder to come by in general. But I think there is enough general interest there to really get the rocket racing going, I'd hate to see it take forever to come to surface and then not be able to survive.

Rocket racer revealed

Hank McCoy,Dallas,Texas — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:00:54 GMT

great moments!

Rocket racer revealed

Brett — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:27:21 GMT

Maybe this kind of development will cut space agency development bills worldwide! Definitely a niche vehicle between ecnomical air flight vehicles and extortionate space vehicles. Next step would be incorporating solar sails or gravity sails if not just taxi-ing to the next available space hotel! Awesome I think many expected deadlines will be reduced with a plane incorporating rockets with such ease!

Rocket racer revealed

Ben Brockert, Mojave CA — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:30:43 GMT

I just got back from more tests tonight. They did two engine burns with the X-Racer stationary on the ground. It's really quite spectacular at night; the engine lights up the area, and a surprisingly good echo comes back from the mountains to the north-west.

Rocket racer revealed

Ferris Valyn, Ann Arbor, MI — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:34:38 GMT

Space Geek 675

Concerning Rocket Racing, they are going to have a media rollout event sometime in December. The next major milestone Granger mentioned during the press conference was needing a tv deal, which was being held up because the vehicle hadn't flown. Now that the vehicle has flown, I suspect he'll get his tv deal within 3 months of the press event (he might even have it ready to announce at the press event). And he said he'll announce when competative racing will start shortly thereafter.

So, I think its fair to say we won't have Rocket Racing soon - we'll have racing within 6 months, and full competative racing within a year. I can't wait.

As for the market, I think your right, the base market will be geeks (espcially space geeks) - we'll have a real sport we have to care about.

BTW, isn't that a great picture :D

Rocket racer revealed

Pilot/photographer Ed, Peoria, IL — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:41:22 GMT

My worry is whether it can work as a spectator sport. With auto racing, you have plenty of physical objects for visual background both in person and on TV. For rocket racing, there won't be any visual background unless the majority of cameras are airborne at higher altitudes than the racing aircraft. It'll also help if the planes are grouped and not spaced out too far and I don't know how they'll manage that.

Rocket racer revealed

JAMES I. — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:35:42 GMT

GREAT !! HOW DOES ONE GET IN ON THE BOTTOM FLOOR OF THIS TYPE PROJECT. THERE MUSH BE OTHER BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES HERE? THEY'LL NEED SUPPORT SERVICES AND OUTSIDE BUSINESSES?

Rocket racer revealed

Loren, SF Bay Area, CA — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:40:41 GMT

And the inevitable crashes will be *much* more spectacular than the ones that NASCAR has...

Rocket racer revealed

Mike Buxbaum NY — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:01:50 GMT

Boring! Rocket plane races NASCAR style? Come on! I'm going to be watching a silent drama of several lonely exhaust streaks running through the sky? How that will be different than an air show demonstration? I think the biggest technical challenge is not the planes, it the cameras. I envy people who has nothing to do with their money.

Rocket racer revealed

Johnny Bravo, Fort Collins, CO — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:20:17 GMT

While I certainly wish the architects and promoters of this event best of luck in their endeavor, I can't help but wonder what is going to attract people to watch these races. In autoracing, at least people can relate to driving fast cars -- they've done it themselves, or a least have dreamed of it -- because cars play such a central role in our lives. But as for rocket planes -- I just don't see the same connection. It seems to me that this may only appeal to a very nitch group of people. I'd like to see one of the races or a demonstration in person, and I think these planes are really cool, but I'm not going to sit down and enjoy something like this on TV. Then again, I'm not a NASCAR fan either.

Rocket racer revealed

Ferris Valyn, Ann Arbor, MI — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:41:48 GMT

For the naysayers - my suggestion is to check out RRL's video of what they expect it to look like by going to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsMyiIL3ObU , and watching the video

Rocket racer revealed

Ken Doe, Nashville, TN — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:30:54 GMT

Hey, are redneck space geeks allowed?

Rocket racer revealed

Rob Abiera — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 05:19:53 GMT

Red Bull's air races draw enormous crowds all over the world. I don't see why RRL couldn't do the same. Hmmm, maybe Red Bull should field an RRL team.

Rocket racer revealed

Randy Campbell, Ogden Utah — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:31:34 GMT

Xerus derivative of X-Racer engine?

The link to XCORs motor page shows that the X-Racers are using the XR-4K14 1,500lbs thrust engine, right below that entry is the XR-4K5 1,800lbs thrust engine for “Primary Propulsion” use ... sounds like they already HAVE the motor :o)