Alan Boyle has an email interview (something that I should have done long before now, if I hadn't been buried in other issues recently) with John Carmack, in the wake of this past weekend's vehicle loss (though not necessarily test failure). What was most interesting, though, was a little aside at the end of his column:

...Sunday's explosive rocket mishap put Space Transport Corp. in the national limelight as an X Prize underdog with a can-do spirit.

The result: A slew of investors have e-mailed the cash-strapped company, saying they are interested in making an investment in the partners' dream of developing space tourism.

"The national attention has been great. We've gotten a flood of e-mail, a lot from potential investors,'' Space Transport vice president Eric Meier said Monday after he, company president Phillip Storm and volunteers cleaned up the wreckage and debris of Rubicon 1 on the beach near Queets.

"I'm trying to raise some money, and am responding to people who have expressed interest.''

Of course, it remains to be seen whether these were serious investors. We'll find out in the next few weeks and months.

Thats sucks Armadillo lost their vehicle. However, it seems like dealing with that mono propellant catalyst is more trouble than its worth. Took nearly 2/3 of their fuel sitting on the ground just to get the hot pack up to temperature. The performance just seems way to erratic for a manned vehicle.

Maybe they should use a ripack gun or propane torch or something, to heat the catalyst pack before launching?

Hefty:

Well, they used 2/3 their fuel on warm-up because the catalyst holder had been overstressed and no longer held it in an even layer; it will be better-reinforced in the new rocket.

Phil:

They investigated that at one point - I believe one tested mechinism was liquid silicone and a turkey fryer :) - but their current engines actually preheat rapidly when undamaged.

poker Have a nice day! :)