We could go into some of the specific details we learned during these tests, but in the interest of prudence, we felt that some of this information might make it just a bit too easy for our competitors.
Thanks for the link.What was most interesting from this recent update was that a) It wasn't written by John Carmack, but more interestingly b) Armadillo is starting to get a bit guarded with the information they share. I guess the heady, early, 'we're all one big team' era of the micro-space industries has officially ended.Particularly, when talking about their boosted hop tests to 800 and 1200 meters, they don't describe the problems or solutions they encountered...QuoteWe could go into some of the specific details we learned during these tests, but in the interest of prudence, we felt that some of this information might make it just a bit too easy for our competitors. I think someone was stung by the fact that Masten 'snuck in and stole' their Tier 2 lunar lander prize. (My description of their likely emotional reaction, not Armadillo's words.)
Quote from: Tergenev on 01/29/2010 07:42 pmThanks for the link.What was most interesting from this recent update was that a) It wasn't written by John Carmack, but more interestingly b) Armadillo is starting to get a bit guarded with the information they share. I guess the heady, early, 'we're all one big team' era of the micro-space industries has officially ended.Particularly, when talking about their boosted hop tests to 800 and 1200 meters, they don't describe the problems or solutions they encountered...QuoteWe could go into some of the specific details we learned during these tests, but in the interest of prudence, we felt that some of this information might make it just a bit too easy for our competitors. I think someone was stung by the fact that Masten 'snuck in and stole' their Tier 2 lunar lander prize. (My description of their likely emotional reaction, not Armadillo's words.)I don't think that era has ended. Both teams still talk on the Arocket mailing list. They still talk about cooperation, etc. If they weren't interested in cooperation, they wouldn't post on Arocket. And pretty much everyone likes Paul Breed (of Unreasonable Rocket). There was a lot of drama in the Lunar lander xprize competition, but also still a heck of a lot of cooperation.
Quote from: Robotbeat on 01/29/2010 07:47 pmQuote from: Tergenev on 01/29/2010 07:42 pmThanks for the link..... b) Armadillo is starting to get a bit guarded with the information they share. I guess the heady, early, 'we're all one big team' era of the micro-space industries has officially ended.We're still friends. I'm pretty sure we'll be playing hookie from the presentations at Space Access and talking shop out in the courtyard just as much as any previous year. This is now a full-time job for both of our groups, so we have a bit more at stake than just a really sweet hobby, so its understandable that we're not always going to give away the recipe to our magic squirrel juice de jour. But that doesn't mean we won't still be trying to be as open as we reasonably can be without giving away the shop. Also, part of why John didn't write this is that he has a new little boy (I think number two for them)--having three little boys myself, I can completely empathize.~JonThanks Jon. It seems to me that one would need to go back quite some time in the Armadillo archives before seeing a lot of the technical detail. I don't think this update is much changed from recent updates. I am happy that they continue to provide insight to their activities and challenges. This type of sharing is exciting and enjoyable as an amateur observer. This update also clearly attempted to separate out the personal feelings and reactions about the Lunar Lander Challenge. Armadillo very clearly offered congratulations and support to Masten.Don
Quote from: Tergenev on 01/29/2010 07:42 pmThanks for the link..... b) Armadillo is starting to get a bit guarded with the information they share. I guess the heady, early, 'we're all one big team' era of the micro-space industries has officially ended.We're still friends. I'm pretty sure we'll be playing hookie from the presentations at Space Access and talking shop out in the courtyard just as much as any previous year. This is now a full-time job for both of our groups, so we have a bit more at stake than just a really sweet hobby, so its understandable that we're not always going to give away the recipe to our magic squirrel juice de jour. But that doesn't mean we won't still be trying to be as open as we reasonably can be without giving away the shop. Also, part of why John didn't write this is that he has a new little boy (I think number two for them)--having three little boys myself, I can completely empathize.~JonThanks Jon. It seems to me that one would need to go back quite some time in the Armadillo archives before seeing a lot of the technical detail. I don't think this update is much changed from recent updates. I am happy that they continue to provide insight to their activities and challenges. This type of sharing is exciting and enjoyable as an amateur observer. This update also clearly attempted to separate out the personal feelings and reactions about the Lunar Lander Challenge. Armadillo very clearly offered congratulations and support to Masten.Don
Thanks for the link..... b) Armadillo is starting to get a bit guarded with the information they share. I guess the heady, early, 'we're all one big team' era of the micro-space industries has officially ended.We're still friends. I'm pretty sure we'll be playing hookie from the presentations at Space Access and talking shop out in the courtyard just as much as any previous year. This is now a full-time job for both of our groups, so we have a bit more at stake than just a really sweet hobby, so its understandable that we're not always going to give away the recipe to our magic squirrel juice de jour. But that doesn't mean we won't still be trying to be as open as we reasonably can be without giving away the shop. Also, part of why John didn't write this is that he has a new little boy (I think number two for them)--having three little boys myself, I can completely empathize.~Jon
New photos on Russell Blink's flickr pagehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/27997120@N05/ I wonder what this new vehicle is for? From the looks of it Im thinking methane pixel 2.0 for simply going high altitude.
To improve the impact an announcement of a new vehicle should have a picture of the vehicle that the press can publish.
Why not announce future Mars missions for $100,000 & partner with Space Adventures? If you announce a future mission to Alpha Centuri, they'll throw in a free hibachi knife set with your partnership.
Armadillo and Space Adventures have come to an agreementfor ticket sales for suborbital flights. Asking passengers to pay $102,000 per suborbital flight.Hmmmm.I could almost afford it, assuming I don't have to wait 10 years.John Carmack has been in this aerospace endeavor for 10 yearsthereabouts; what has he accomplished in that time?
well you could get a pretty good idea just by reading all the updates he's posted. Here's some highlights:flown over 20 different VTVL rockets on over 100 flightscreated a volunteer based company that has nearly single-handedly created an industry and now has developed into a private, for-profit companyfirst to win a lunar lander challenginspired thousands, including some now in the industry including all three competitors he faced in the LLCbeen pretty much the Orville and Wilbur Wright of private VTVL flight.Is that a good start?Posted from my iPhone
I hate to scoop John, but I can't help myself!Armadillo just completed a boosted hop to 2000 feet with an engine shutdownand extended freefall under a small drogue.Everything went well and the mod executed a Masten-esque maneuver to returnto the pad.Matt will have video sometime in the next day or 2 I am sure... It wasREALLY cool!Phil