Canadian Arrow Completes Drop Test 142
hpulley writes "The Canadian press is reporting that X-Prize entrant the Canadian Arrow made its first successful crew compartment drop test on Saturday. It is essentially a modern version of the German V2 rocket. This test was just a drop of the crew compartment to test the parachutes. Next comes a launch abort test to see if the crew can be safely sent away from the vehicle. No word yet on when they might launch the consecutive flights in two-week turnaround for the prize. Fellow Canadian entrant the da Vinci Project will try to launch October 2nd. In the fall, venerable model company Estes Rockets will have a new model of the Canadian Arrow along with models of other entrants like the Rubicon." Oddly enough, I saw the crew compartment being driven around in Toronto on Saturday morning (towed behind a white pickup truck), but I didn't know what they were up to.
Re:Woot for canada (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Old technology (Score:4, Insightful)
Given that the X prize is for private industry reproducing results that were first achieved about 50 years ago, I don't see it as surprising that they're recycling 50 year old technology. The point is, though, that it's a lot cheaper for these guys to do it now than it was then, because of improvements in other areas of technology (largely materials and manufacturing processes).
Also, note that the X prize vehicle must be reusable (2 launch requirement), which none of the technology of the 50s was, so they have to make some improvements.
Re:Enlighten me... (Score:5, Insightful)
So, they've spent around $20 million US, and $10 mil is indeed half. If any company developing a new product could stand to get 1/2 of all of their expenses back by winning a contest, wouldn't that be icing on the cake?
In fact, note that the rules of the X-Prize (2 flights, 3 passengers, etc) are meant to be things that would encourage a company to actually do something important with their technology AFTER winning the X-Prize. So it is an interesting setup. While the X-Prize isn't the sole driving force, it has definately been a "shot in the ass" to keep teams working hard. I think the expiration date on the X-Prize was an absolutely great idea too- because it is working! Just look how many teams are making a final drive right now. As long as nobody dies- and I tell you these da Vinci guys, if they are serious, scare the bejesus out of me.
Re:Space Ship One (Score:3, Insightful)
I know it's a joke / troll, but honestly, I think it's important to understand that there are several "competitors", but only one real contender, based on the development cycle and reality of the technological ability to achieve the goal. All these rocket people are trying to do this on garage technology, and the end result is going to be dead fools in a tin can, if they even try. It still cost a lot of money to send a body to space, even if it is done on the cheap. The Russians have perfected this. And while they are poor, they still have a lot more $$ than just about any of these guys. I see dead bodies.
Re:Enlighten me... (Score:3, Insightful)
Armadillo Aerospace has only spent about $1.5 million on their X-Prize craft. The only group which has spent more than $10 million is Scaled Composites...
Which, barring a major upset, is probably who is going to win. I guess the old "You get what you pay for..." holds true to some extent.
Al.Re:It's named after the legendary Avro Arrow (Score:5, Insightful)
However, I'd argue that ultimately what killed this project was the invention of the ICBM. In the early 1950s the concepts pertaining to nuclear defense were interceptor based: chase down the bombers and destroy them before they could nuke your cities. The Arrow was intended to become a pre-emminent interceptor for its age.
What happened? US and NATO strategy changed. There was no chance of intercepting an ICBM w/ multiple warheads, and thus funding priorities changed. By the early 1960s it was obvious that an interceptor based strategy was no longer relevant. Fighters were being designed as air superiority fighters, tactical bombers, or all-weather craft. No customers = limited market for the Arrow. It was also way over budget (although close to completion of the Mk II) and thus the Diefenbaker government killed it.
I will agree that there's alot of myth and rumour about beligerent and nasty destruction of the program. Most of these are not founded in fact, and are tied to the managers of the Avro Arrow program and not politically motivated.
Re:Enlighten me... (Score:3, Insightful)
Fast, good, cheap. Choose any two.