TGV doesn't get as much attention as some of the other NewSpace firms, but here's an article about a recent successful engine test, from Norman, Oklahoma, where it's based.

Given the lack of comments on this article, I'll use it to express my pet peeve of the day. The phrase "giggle factor" is loathsome and repellant. I'd say it's up there with "idiotarian" and most things that start with "blog" like "blogerati". It's only saving grace is the Gandhi quote that it's derived from.

The phrase "giggle factor" is loathsome and repellant.

That seems like an irrationally strong emotional response to me.

Or overblown exaggeration for rhetorical effect. You never know with these internet types.

Rand, unfortunately, the "giggle factor" will never be completely gone until there are scores of flights every week carrying paying passengers to suborbital and/or orbital space. That is my criteria.

I say this as a space activist who has every wish that the industry succeed and enable any fare paying passenger including potentially myself to travel to space. One, furthermore, who views space as essential for our future development and expansion as a species.

At present we have a fragile fledgling industry undergoing construction and testing of prototypes at varying development stages. It is true that non trivial sums have been invested, with more waiting in the wings but at present, unfortunatly, only Space Adventures offers flights for fare-paying customers to trave to space at present.