See previous post.
We’re expecting a statement from Brett Alexander of the X-Prize Foundation shortly.
[A few minutes later]
Brett has arrived.
No injuries or fatalities, so safety was good. John Carmack: “Today was officially a bad day.” John could have made a Level 2 attempt but chose not to. Couldn’t do it tomorrow because no insurance–Cup over. Doesn’t know what happened, other than explosion at ignition. Quite violent, not just a crack. Fire on the pad, cabling disconnected, called Level II Safety Emergency. Wanted fire trucks, etc., but were able to approach and safe vehicle. Went out on its own after LOX ran out, though still some ethanol in the vehicle. Doesn’t know what their plans are other than to return to the hangar.
How close are other contenders? None of them have done an untethered flight, but he expects that next year there will be more than one team competing, and the two million still on the table will provide an incentive. Considers weekend a success. Two successful flight attempts, and a good long flight even with a cracked chamber. Demonstrated safety and abort ability. Static displays showed a lot of innovation, and hope for future. NASA hasn’t put out any money yet, but has gotten many many times the two million in effort, and ultimately this will still provide technology for lunar landers. Had 6000 students here on Friday, and this is about education and inspiration. Preliminary number is 80,000 people here on the weekend. Expected only 60,000. Only had 15,000 last year for the Cup alone.
Doesn’t know what will happen next year. LLC doesn’t have to be at a show. Would be much cheaper to do it without public for safety reason. Northrop Grumman was only committed for two years, but are pleased with results to date, despite lack of win. No commitment yet. Wirefly having financial difficulties of their own, so doesn’t think their pull out of sponsorship has anything to do with Cup.
Thinks that merging of aviation and space is “fantastic.” Makes a good combination.
Can change rules next year, but has no plans to. Not sure how to do concurrent ops or schedule with more contenders. Only two slots are required–if there had been a competitor, they would have gotten the other two.
Vehicle not totally destroyed, still standing up, tanks looked intact. Has no particular insight.