Not just that, but a flying car in space! Just like my main man Centauri from The Last Starfighter.
Kinda. But not really.
Re: Space News
Posted: February 16th, 2018, 6:52 pm
by Space Tycoon
But have to wonder, how is the paint job gonna stand up to the harsh environment of outer space? Hard vacuum, extremes of temperature, cosmic and solar radiation. Micrometeoroids!
For years I've been seeing space vehicles in science fiction take off from the ground and rocket into orbit without an apparent fuel source--in stark contrast to actual rockets, which are about 80-90 per cent fuel. I always figured, "ah well, perhaps someday, someone, somewhere will invent a super-efficient-fusioney-plasma-thingy-type engine that can do just that." Plasma-ion drives are frequently invoked as a likely propulsion system for use in deep space itself, but it now seems that we may see them replace chemical rockets here on Earth.
Re: Space News
Posted: April 4th, 2018, 5:22 pm
by Space Tycoon
I've been following this guy's vlog for awhile now. He seems pretty knowledgeable and has a cool shirt collection.
NASA's new Space Station:
Re: Space News
Posted: April 8th, 2018, 9:20 pm
by Space Tycoon
This isn't strictly "Space News", but it is about 3-D printing as it applies to industrial design and construction--and concludes with a 3-D printed rocket fuel tank and engine test for NASA.
Re: Space News
Posted: April 8th, 2018, 9:41 pm
by Space Tycoon
Virgin Galactic just keeps chugging along...
Re: Space News
Posted: April 10th, 2018, 7:44 pm
by The Swollen Goiter of God
They've been trying to get this exact concept off the ground since the Superman Returns days, right?
Re: Space News
Posted: April 10th, 2018, 9:39 pm
by Space Tycoon
Pretty much.
In fairness, you have to understand their reasons. They want to build a passenger-based business with impeccable safety and reliability. They're not going to be launching professional astronauts or replaceable satellites; they're going to be launching dentists and lawyers and actors and upper-middle-class suburban homeowners. Everyday people, more or less. Successful everyday people.
They have to get it right, even if it takes a bit longer. Or it will all be for nothing.
Re: Space News
Posted: April 22nd, 2018, 2:22 pm
by Space Tycoon
Even to a guy like me, that's cold.:
Re: Space News
Posted: May 12th, 2018, 9:08 am
by The Swollen Goiter of God
Here's a pretty amusing exchange between Elon Musk and Existential Comics:
Re: Space News
Posted: May 12th, 2018, 2:54 pm
by Space Tycoon
I guess the headline here is, libertarians shouldn't worship Elon Musk.
Re: Space News
Posted: June 16th, 2018, 3:28 pm
by Space Tycoon
Not actually news, but a good retrospective on what might have been, once. I remember being really into the X-33/Venture Star story while it was unfolding, twenty years ago. It seemed like a sure thing, killed off by politics. Looking back I think it might have been too far ahead of it's time--much as the Shuttle itself, frankly.
Cool-looking ship, though.
Re: Space News
Posted: June 21st, 2018, 7:15 pm
by Space Tycoon
Who else remembers the 80's?
Re: Space News
Posted: June 22nd, 2018, 11:14 am
by Mal Shot First
It was acceptable in the 80s. It was acceptable at the time.
Re: Space News
Posted: June 22nd, 2018, 6:37 pm
by Space Tycoon
Well, we had the best cartoons back then. fact
Re: Space News
Posted: June 23rd, 2018, 1:19 pm
by Space Tycoon
Oh, and Calvin Harris.
Re: Space News
Posted: November 2nd, 2020, 9:02 pm
by Mal Shot First
Not actually space news, but relevant to Space Tycoon's interests (i.e., Where's my damn flying car!!):
Re: Space News
Posted: December 13th, 2020, 2:18 pm
by Space Tycoon
One step at a time.
Re: Space News
Posted: December 27th, 2020, 7:40 pm
by The Swollen Goiter of God
Re: Space News
Posted: December 27th, 2020, 7:41 pm
by The Swollen Goiter of God
That doesn't have anything to do with flying cars. I just wanted to post it.