Amazon Founder Unveils Spacecraft (January 5, 2007)

[Cpl Hades]

The founder of Amazon.com, Jeff Bezos, has unveiled the first results from his new company's attempts to reach space. Bezos' company Blue Origin posted a video from a test launch of their development vehicle "Goddard". Starting from a launchpad, the craft managed an altitude of 285 feet before beginning its descent back to the ground. That's a little far away from reaching orbit, but it's a start. The project aims to eventually offer commercial flights to low Earth orbit, no doubt offering the flights for sale on Amazon. The full press release along with more photos and a video of the launch can be found here.

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Original update published on January 5, 2007

 

[Vinman]

How could a single stage rocket thingy like that ever make it into space?

Also, it looks a lot like the DC-X, don't you think?

 

[BradMick]

it's all a matter of having the required 7,900 some odd m/s delta V required to make it to Low Earth Orbit. Which means, having the appropriate amount of fuel. I'd be interested to know the how many g's it pulls on lift off. If they kept it low enough to get it off the groun and into space, or if it's pulling heavier g's in order to get it into space quicker. i'd imagine they wouldn't have the g forces to high if its going to be a commercial option.

 

[Delance]

I don't trust atmospheric ships that doesn't have wings, just like Ben of Full Throttle and road vehicles without wheels. That's another great thing about wing commander.

 

[Bob McDob]

Also, it looks a lot like the DC-X, don't you think?

That's what I love about it. I just wish Pete Conrad was here to see it.

 

[ChrisReid]

How could a single stage rocket thingy like that ever make it into space?

On top of a normal rocket maybe. That's doesn't seem like any sort of completed space ship though. All we're seeing is one element of a system that'll be necessary to make everything work.

 

[ELTEE]

I am excited about this project and Burt Rutan's SpaceshipOne. The idea of finally getting more of the population not only interested in space, but access to it is great. I only hope that I will be in a position one day to partake in such exciting possibilities.

Scaled Composites' SpaceshipOne and White Knight are two of the most beautiful air/space craft I have ever seen!

 

[Ijuin]

On top of a normal rocket maybe. That's doesn't seem like any sort of completed space ship though. All we're seeing is one element of a system that'll be necessary to make everything work.

Well what we see here is just a suborbital test model. However, I do believe that a true SSTO is not possible without linear aerospike engines or some other engine advancement, because present engines demand too large a fuel fraction to carry both a heat shield and useful amounts of cargo. Barring improved engine technology, the ship will probably need a booster to make orbit (e.g. a set of SRB's that fall away after the first two minutes like the Shuttle uses).