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Micro spacecraft to blast single brave rider into space
How desperate are you to fly into space? Copenhagen Suborbitals has a crazy plan to cram you into the nosecone of this minuscule missile, blasting you into space and returning you safely to Earth, all by your lonesome self. That standing-up position doesn't look too comfortable, but claustrophobic daredevils can rest easy because the entire tip of the nosecone is transparent, showing the rider a magnificent view of the rapidly approaching cosmos.
They're calling this rocket HEAT, or Hybrid Exo Atmospheric Transporter, and it'll propel a human into space at a relatively gentle 3g force, hardly enough to break even the fragilest of legs. The quarters will be cramped, with the astronaut strapped into the pressurized compartment so tightly, only limited arm movement will be possible. Not exactly a limo ride, but maybe it'll be cheap.
This is one of two upcoming craft from the Danish aerospace startup — the other vehicle will be the unmanned Hybrid Atmospheric Test Vehicle, a 1/3-scale sounding rocket that will test the company's new rocket engines. That motor is off to a good start, passing its first test earlier this week — hit Continue to see a video of that engine in action:
Copenhagen Suborbitals, via UberReview
By electroseven at 1:39 PM ON 10/23/08
Needs a big ACME sticker.
By GreenOfaKind at 3:07 PM ON 10/23/08
I like that fire-extinguisher by the person's feet along with name of the rocket. Hope the rocket-name doesn't become a factor where you'd have to use the extinguisher that you cannot reach.
By kubiak at 4:28 PM ON 10/23/08
GREENOFAKIND, that looks to be an air tank for the chamber's air supply.
By besen at 6:08 PM ON 10/23/08
yea I bet that the blue is for air , also can I be the first one going up heck yea I would love to up there .
By Vashnyra at 9:26 PM ON 10/23/08
SWEET! A spacecraft that doubles as a casket! "...the nosecone is transparent, showing the rider a magnificent view of the rapidly approaching cosmos" (or a terrifying view of the ground as it welcomes you swiftly back to earth!)
By BralenX at 9:52 PM ON 10/23/08
If its affordable I would go in a heart beat.. :)
By Mycroft at 10:22 AM ON 10/24/08
I'd definately be second (provided the first pasenger survived).
By CoolProducts at 2:03 PM ON 10/24/08
Either the biggest thrill of your life or a very very expensive form of suicide!
By Mighty Joe at 7:31 AM ON 10/25/08
Who wants to be a guinea pig and even pay for the experiment ! how will he come back!!!? parachute?? or small rocket in his pocket to come back again.. :P ..
By Hern Berferd at 1:41 AM ON 10/26/08
You don't come back, you dock with the space station.
By yetsune at 6:41 AM ON 10/26/08
But how does it navigate? By the looks of it, this is probably a "dumbfire" rocket -- you just shoot straight up into space. Does it rely on some kind of space shuttle to pick you up?
By 13tales at 12:01 AM ON 10/27/08
Heeeeeere am I, sitting in a tin-can...
Faaaaaaar above the earth...
Planet Earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do.
By Jonathan Dudley at 7:23 AM ON 10/27/08
That looks amazing, I doubt it will be affordable though. It might be cheap compared to hopping in Virgin's spacethingy but I doubt it will be the sort of thing average Joe or even decent income Janet can afford.
By bscotthay at 6:43 AM ON 10/30/08
yeah that was my thought,what about return entry. Or this would be a way to dispose of bodies In the next "GREAT Plague". It would be like Spocks' casket floating in space,lol
By Frogman27 at 8:49 AM ON 03/05/09
Maybe I'm missing something, but it looks to me like the passenger is going to come back stuffed into about 3 feet of space. I can't see any reason why the G's on launch wouldn't just pack you to the bottom of the passenger compartment. Maybe the're planning a slowwwww launch.
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Frogman27:
Maybe I'm missing something, but it looks to me like the passenger is going to come back stuffed into about 3 feet ...More »