Re:SpaceshipTwo crashes shortly after Mojave test flight
by Florin_Andrei on Friday October 31, 2014 @05:46PM
(#8541272)
Well, a rocket is a thing that:
1. contains a lot of energy
2. releases a considerable stream of energy at a controlled, steady rate
3. does that in a small system, while flying through the air.
It's a lot easier if you drop one requirement:
1 + 2 = coal-based power plant
1 + 3 = bomb
2 (sort of) + 3 = conventional airplane
All of the above have been done reliably. It's only when you put together all three conditions that you get a rocket, and that's when things get really, really difficult.
1. contains a lot of energy
2. releases a considerable stream of energy at a controlled, steady rate
3. does that in a small system, while flying through the air.
It's a lot easier if you drop one requirement:
1 + 2 = coal-based power plant
1 + 3 = bomb
2 (sort of) + 3 = conventional airplane
All of the above have been done reliably. It's only when you put together all three conditions that you get a rocket, and that's when things get really, really difficult.