Space Plane to Offer 2 Hour Flight around the World

secretsather writes "Two hour flights to the other side of the world may seem like a scene from a science fiction movie; but the technology is in place, and a plane that can do just that is currently in development. While it looks like a scene from a flight simulator, the Astrox space plane is the real deal, and the Astrox Corporation says it could revolutionize the transportation industry. Traveling as fast as Mach 25 with at least 30 minutes of space shuttle-like views while in orbit is the highlight of this plane, and The Astrox Corporation, along with their partners, are claiming to have finally overcome their largest problem, mixing fuel."

I don't want to go around the world

[Realistic_Dragon]

That would bring me back to this stinking, shitty, damp, miserable, yob infested, backwards, cold, poor, tacky, cretin filled swamp. Can they drop me off half way please?

Problems mixing fuel?

[overeduc8ed]

... are claiming to have finally overcome their largest problem, mixing fuel."

Their new college intern probably solved this problem for them. Beer before liquor, never been sicker... now, OTOH, liquor before beer...

Sci Fi

[Average_Joe_Sixpack]

Two hour flights to the other side of the world may seem like a scene from a science fiction movie;

At this point in my life, mating seems like science fiction let alone flying around the world in a space plane.

Wow!

[Anonymous Coward]

A Congressman reads and posts on Slashdot! Who'd have figured...?

Nice pic

[Rolo Tomasi]

That picture is awesome. Reminds me of Elite II. I just hope they didn't forget to buy atmospheric shielding.

Re:Problems mixing fuel?

[jfengel]

now, OTOH, liquor before beer

Or would that be ETOH? Skip straight to the ethanol and ignore the irrelevant flavorings and bubbles.

Re:should have been in vaporware story

[TodMinuit]

Some preliminary tests of scramjets have been done. Very preliminary. Not by these guys.

Pish-posh! Just look at their mockup: http://www.blorge.com/images/Hypersonicspaceplanes promise2hourflights_E607/hypersonic4.gif [blorge.com] They clearly know what they're doing.

Re:Jetlag was bad? Watch out for ScramJet lag

[j00r0m4nc3r]

I used to love this old ride called The Gravitron

You mean the Vomitron.

Re:Yeah right

[wtansill]

I also want my flying car that I was promised 35 years ago.

Drive with me. It's almost the same thing.

bah

[smash]

I've just started design of an aircraft that can fly to mars and back in 3 hours.

Here's a schematic [reallydodgy.org].

Can get i get front page of slashdot now? :D

real?

[arsenix]

If this plane is so real, why is the only evidence a 3d rendering that looks like it was done with an Apple IIGS?

Re:Sci Fi

[risk one]

At this point in my life, mating seems like science fiction ...

I am instantly reminded of the docking sequence from 2001.

Currently in development means please invest

[gelfling]

This sounds like a plea for investors. I wonder if they'll split with a suitcase full of cash for Costa Rica or Brazil?

Re:Sci Fi

[Paradise Pete]

At this point in my life, mating seems like science fiction let alone flying around the world in a space plane.

I don't in what sense you're using mate, but unless it involves chess here's what you do:

1. Take two weeks vacation.
2. Fly to the Central American country of your choice.
3. Hang out for two weeks, and explain why you're there.

I guarantee you will have offered to you whatever it is you're looking for*.

*Of course, the usual "be careful what you wish for" caveat applies.

At Least a Flash Animation!

[The Monster]

Before I go and get all excited, I'm going to have to see something more than a cheesy GIF

Dude! I've seen full-length movies where people can go faster than light. They use this thing called warp drive [wikipedia.org] powered by antimatter and Scotch whiskey.

Re:UK, I take it?

[ozmanjusri]

see how much they enjoy the company of whinging poms.

We're certainly happy to give them something else to whinge about http://www.abc.net.au/cricket/scores/ckt_scorecard _1016_4.htm [abc.net.au].

Though this scramjet will wreck one of the classic English visitor jokes;

Q: How can you tell when a 747 full of poms lands in Australia?
A: The whining keeps going after the engines have been shut off...

Re:Sci Fi

[Anonymous Coward]

I put on my spacesuit and helmet...

Re:bah

[edjs]

The schematics clearly show it's a multi-mode atmo/bussard ramjet.