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Post by skywalker on Dec 2, 2016 21:31:31 GMT -6
So how come Russia had some supercool space-age looking supersonic jet powered aircraft and all we had were a gay-looking helicopter and some silly blimps? And why did they land the gay-looking helicopter in the middle of the desert? Could they not find any other place to take it on vacation? It's like, "Hey, let's go on vacation to the desert. It will be just like the beach without all of that pesky water."
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Post by jcurio on Jan 24, 2017 11:30:30 GMT -6
I wonder what it would "feel" like to fly to Sydney in 3 hours. π
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Post by jcurio on Feb 3, 2017 10:58:13 GMT -6
I have to wonder .... the "exotic" planes that I THINK I have seen, and NOT heard, even years ago, were these actually tiny drones?? Prototypes that are just now getting funding for larger sizes?
π
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Post by jcurio on Feb 15, 2017 16:27:24 GMT -6
Ugh.
Too tempting for someone to steal. (And equipped to use against us?)
Really, this would be a great way (unmanned) to observe uap activity around the world. Maybe it could carry supplies (not weapons) between ships?
What? We can't admit WHAT we want to observe with these things? π
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2017 10:14:46 GMT -6
Still laughing at gay looking helicopters...such a way with words. My husband used to have a truck route relatively close to area 51..he was always spotting 'odd' flying things at night in the desert. Some pretty stealthy things too.
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Post by swamprat on Mar 18, 2017 9:58:23 GMT -6
Skylon Skylon is a design for a single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane by the British company Reaction Engines Limited (REL), using SABRE, a combined-cycle, air-breathing rocket propulsion system, potentially reusable for 200 flights. In paper studies, the cost per kilogram of payload carried to low Earth orbit in this way is hoped to be reduced from the current Β£1,108/kg (as of December 2015), including research and development, to around Β£650/kg, with costs expected to fall much more over time after initial expenditures have amortised. In 2004, the developer estimated the total lifetime cost of the programme to be about $12 billion.
The vehicle design is for a hydrogen-fuelled aircraft that would take off from a purpose-built runway, and accelerate to Mach 5.4 at 26 kilometres (16 mi) altitude using the atmosphere's oxygen before switching the engines to use the internal liquid oxygen (LOX) supply to take it into orbit. Once in orbit it would release its payload (of up to 15 tonnes). The vehicle will be unpiloted, but also be certified to carry passengers. All payloads could be carried in a standardised container compartment. The relatively light vehicle would then re-enter the atmosphere and land on a runway, being protected from the conditions of re-entry by a ceramic composite skin. When on the ground, it would undergo inspection and necessary maintenance. If the design goal is achieved, it should be ready to fly again within two days.
As of 2012, only a small portion of the funding required to develop and build Skylon had been secured. The research and development work on the SABRE engine design is proceeding under a small European Space Agency (ESA) grant. In January 2011, REL submitted a proposal to the British government to request additional funding for the project and in April REL announced that they had secured $350 million of further funding contingent on a test of the engine's precooler technology being successful. Testing of the key technologies was successfully completed in November 2012, allowing Skylon's design to advance to its final phase. On 16 July 2013 the British government pledged Β£60M to the project: this investment will provide support at a "crucial stage" to allow a full-scale prototype of the SABRE engine to be built.
If all goes to plan, the first ground-based engine tests could happen in 2019, and Skylon could be performing unmanned test flights by 2025. It could carry 15 tonnes of cargo to a 300 km equatorial orbit on each trip, and up to 11 tonnes to the International Space Station, almost 45% more than the capacity of the European Space Agency's ATV vehicle.
Source: Wikipedia
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Post by jcurio on Apr 5, 2017 7:36:20 GMT -6
VERY INTERESTING AND EDUCATING!
I thought it was taking off backwards! But flying backwards?! π² Don't think so!
(Will be looking at planes a little differently)
π
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Post by swamprat on Aug 16, 2017 11:41:20 GMT -6
$300,000?! Will you take a check?
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Post by swamprat on Sept 18, 2017 9:43:21 GMT -6
WOW! Eat your heart out Elon Musk and Tesla!
Wonder how much the battery weighs in that thing?! How far can you go without a recharge.....?
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Post by skywalker on Jan 18, 2018 22:10:01 GMT -6
That looks very similar to the plane that was recently spotted at Area 51.
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Post by swamprat on Jul 19, 2018 14:00:52 GMT -6
More on the Volante:Aston Martin's First Flying Car Concept RevealedThe Volante Vision Concept is produced in partnership with Cranfield University, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and Rolls-Royce, the concept aircraft aims to bring luxury personal transportation to the sky.
By Car And Bike Team | Published: Jul 17, 2018
British luxury brand Aston Martin showcased the Volante Vision Concept, a luxury concept aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities. The Volante Vision Concept is produced in partnership with Cranfield University, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and Rolls-Royce, the concept aircraft aims to bring luxury personal transportation to the sky. The Volante Vision Concept has room for three adults and is a near future study that previews a flying autonomous hybrid-electric vehicle for urban and inter-city air travel. Moreover, the Volante Vision Concept will get the latest advances in aerospace, electrification and autonomous technologies, coupled with Aston Martin's signature design.
Andy Palmer, President and CEO, Aston Martin said, "With the population in urban areas continuing to grow, congestion in towns and cities will become increasingly demanding. We need to look at alternative solutions to reduce congestion, cut pollution and improve mobility. Air travel will be a crucial part in the future of transportation, the Volante Vision Concept is the ultimate luxury mobility solution."
Professor Iain Gray, Director of Aerospace, Cranfield University said, "We're delighted to be part of this exciting and forward-thinking project that showcases British innovation and the way that Cranfield works with and supports business. The Volante Vision Concept exemplifies Cranfield's unique capabilities in digital aviation, autonomous systems and the electrification of aerospace, and is an excellent example of how the University combines cutting-edge research, academic rigor and real-world application."
(The Volante Vision Concept has room for three adults)
The Volante Vision Concept will use Rolls-Royce's high performance hybrid-electric propulsion technologies, while it exemplifies Cranfield's capabilities in digital aviation, autonomous systems and the electrification of aerospace. Marek Reichman, Aston Martin EVP, the man behind the designs of cars such as the Aston Martin DB11, the new Vantage, the DBS Superleggera and Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar project is also heading the team of the Volante Vision Concept.
auto.ndtv.com/news/aston-martins-first-flying-car-concept-revealed-1884610
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Post by jcurio on Mar 4, 2019 8:22:38 GMT -6
Funny how that doesnβt make me sick π
That wobbly βthingβ in the middle of the screen? I kept waiting for it to fly off .....
ππ²
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