I have a question, When you lock your differentials were do you put the JB

Read more:
Help Me

New requirements are as follows: (originally posted by YYZatcboy)
Updates will be posted in
Payload bay dimentions must be at least 15 x 60 ft
Must have crew quarters for up to 12 people to survive for a maximum of 18 days
Operational Altitude will be between 100-520 NM
Must be able to reach orbit at full payload in less than 14 minutes
Must be able to dock with existing space station technology.
Must be able to de orbit and land with relative ease
Must be simple to fly with as much automation as possible.

As of now, it is:

1. An aircraft (spacecraft if you prefer) - or assemblage of mother/daughter craft - capable of departing earth from an airport, spaceport, launchpad, etc. (TBD)
2. Exit the atmosphere into space (height, definition of orbit, and mission still TBD). Obviously, if using a mother/daughter arrangement, only one of the two craft must get into space.
3. Return safely to earth, landing at either an airport, spaceport, etc. Size, location still TBD. If using a mother/daughter system, both craft must return and land safely, though not necessarily at the same location.

There are many questions to be answered, here are just a few examples:

What is the mission profile, what must the craft accomplish?

What should it be called? (Trans-atmospheric Spacecraft? Shuttle Replacement? Brewster Rockit’s Spacejet?)

Must it take off and/or land like a conventional aircraft, or will this be open to rocket-launch types as well?

What kinds of engines and other technology will be allowed, and at what bonus or penalty, if any?

What should be judged, and how? (And by whom? )

Shall we consider longer-term economic implications in the judging and scoring? (effects of return-on-investment, new technology development, use of existing technology, etc…)

These are just a few issues that I pulled out of the Contest Wishlist thread, it is by no means a comprehensive or final list. Also, let me state for the record that I am not the originator, sponsor, judge, or anything else that might have to do with administering this competition. I want to play too! I just wanted to move the discussion to a more appropriate place, since there appeared to be enough interest.

So let the discussion continue!

~ Mid7night

Here is the original post:
Space Shuttle Replacement Competition

This is incredible! I wonder how much it cost to charter those planes.

Here is the original:
Amazing World Record!

Holy cow, General Motors wasn’t kidding when they said they wanted to change the way the Hummer looked. GM is apparently targeting the consumers who are interested in vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler, and word is it may reveal its new 2008 HUMMER HX at the Detroit auto show next month. We’ll have to wait […]

View original post here:
GM?s 2008 HUMMER HX Concept Sketches