SpaceShipOne Flight Not as Perfect as it Seemed 609
ArbiterOne writes "SpaceShipOne's flight wasn't as perfect as it seemed, according to Burt Rutan and New Scientist. Apparently, at one point in the descent, the pilot completely lost attitude control. According to him, "If that had happened earlier, I would never have made it and you all would be looking sad right now." Could this pose some problems for the X-Prize contender?"
All that training... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Attitude? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Still a great flight (Score:5, Funny)
Besides, isn't that usually a "nut behind the wheel" or PEBKAC kinda issue?
Could this pose problems? (Score:5, Funny)
Of course it could, bubblehead. Getting into space is HARD.
His view... (Score:2, Funny)
Attitude control? (Score:3, Funny)
Attitude control (Score:1, Funny)
"Well fix the f*cking thing!"
Re:For all the Attitude Jokes.... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:It's perfectly normal (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, developing spacecraft is a lengthy process, just look at NASA. But they'll get it right. I mean, it's not rocket science.
Re:Still 62% willing to fly? (Score:3, Funny)
The poll indicates 62% of the /. crowd would happily fly in that ship on monday. It would be interesting to repeat the poll now and see if it is still this high.
Perhaps some would change, but I'd still have been willing. Admittedly, that's more emotion than anything else, since I don't have any skills that would have been useful in such a flight, but damn, given a chance to go into space, even on an experimental craft . . .
Speaking of which, where are they holding the signups for being ballast on the X-Prize flights? I at least have the skill of sitting around and being massful ;)
No, no, no! (Score:5, Funny)
"Any landing which you can walk away from is a good landing.
Any landing after which you can use the plane again is a great landing."
Or, if you work for American Airlines:
"Any landing after which our customers, or their surviving kin, don't sue us is a good landing."
Re:This is why more people didnt go (Score:2, Funny)
Who's cleaning up the M&Ms? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Dictionnary to the rescue (Score:2, Funny)
n.
Re:Still a great flight (Score:5, Funny)
Oh wait. Nevermind.
Re:This is why more people didnt go (Score:5, Funny)
Why on earth did you marry someone called Barely?
Re:Dictionnary to the rescue (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Still a great flight (Score:5, Funny)
Apparently, at one point in the descent, the pilot completely lost attitude control.
Hey, losing control of one's attitude in such a situation isn't such a suprise. At least he didn't lose bowel control or bladder control. Of course, maybe he did. Something like that wouldn't typically be reported. I know I would have in such a situation.
and yes, I know that the attitude control they're talking about is the orientation of the craft in flight
Re:It's perfectly normal (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Nice to see them so honest (Score:5, Funny)
If he did that, his name would not be 'Bert Rutan'. it would be 'NASA'.
Re:Who's cleaning up the M&Ms? (Score:2, Funny)
The question arises again... (Score:3, Funny)
But it was the sublime view that affected him the most. "The sky was jet black, with light blue along the horizon - it was really an awesome sight," he said. "You really do get the feeling that you've touched the face of God."
What does God need with a starship?
Re:Attitude? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Still 62% willing to fly? (Score:1, Funny)
Anyway, yesterday when I looked there were about 32000 votes, and the numbers were split 60/40. Today there are about 47000 votes, and the numbers are split 62/37. That means in the past day, 10500/15000 (or about 70%) have voted yes.
p.s. I only voted once. On Sunday I voted 'yes' after quickly estimating a 10-20% chance of catastophe.
Re:As they say... (Score:4, Funny)
5% is correct (Score:1, Funny)
The estimate of 5% is correct for a 747 configured similar to this model [imdb.com]. Boeing gives you just the stock price. The customizations needed for each one before it is used (seat fabric color, exterior paint scheme, sound system, extra windows, flashy rims, etc.) add up quickly.
Re:For all the Attitude Jokes.... (Score:1, Funny)
mission log now online (Score:1, Funny)
Entry 1 - ok light the rocket, lets get this baby up into space - (switch) - holy crap! this crazy thing is going sideways! must hold it steady!, geeze I almost bought the farm! ok lets keep going.
Entry 2 - holding, steady, climbing to space, all is going well - BANG!! - holy crap! wtf was that!! am I still alive?! misson control, I just shit my pants.
Entry 3 - man - I almost made it, well I think might have gone far enuff, get ready to shut down rocket - fzzzzzz - wtf?, it just shut itself off - that can't be good. christ! now I have no attitude control at all! I am going to float all the way to the Sun and freaking MELT!!!, oh, man, got it back - my god I am stupid for doing this.
Entry 4 - this is cool - I'm in space!! where are those m&m's I'm hungry?, - rip - damnit! little bitches are floating around the damn cabin!
Entry 5 - ready to go home, up flaps, - whoooooosh!! holy fuck I am dropping like a rock!, I hate badminton!!!
Entry 6 - OMFG its sound like I'm in the center of a freaking HURICANE!, I am soooooo gonna die! hold together you piece of sh i i i i i i i i t t t t t t!
Entry 7 - OMG I see the runway!, I swear on my mothers children I will never do anything like this again, please just let me land this can!
Entry 8 - mission complete
Re:This is why more people didnt go (Score:1, Funny)
Oh, you've probably met her -- Barely Legal.
Slashdot Poll (Score:3, Funny)
Is it too late to change my answer to no?
Re:This is why more people didnt go (Score:5, Funny)
Re:This says quite a bit about... (Score:3, Funny)
Oh, probably four - at least then I'm back in the same position I was before