New propulsion systems

[Adam the Akrodude]

OK, I admit it - as well as being a aeroplane nerd, I'm a space nerd as well! I'm interested in future propulsion systems both for atmospheric use and for "out there" use. Two companies I've just come across look to have spectacular new engines.

Ad Astra with their "VASIMR" (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) engine for use in space. The potential is there to get to Mars within two months.





http://www.adastrarocket.com/aarc/space-propulsion

And another company called Reaction Engines http://www.reactionengines.co.uk/ with their SABRE engine (Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine) is interesting.





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgtZCXYmkDU

Having my Friday "rant", I for one can't wait for the end of this stupid self-absorbed bullshit period with shit like "selfie sticks" and all the social media shit that goes with this. It's time for the human race to stop being so obsessed with all this celebrity crap, put down the iPhones and stop taking "selfies" and look out towards the stars again. This technology is probably 20-30 years off from maturity I guess, but it's on the way. Perhaps the worldwide obsession with the Kardashians will be over by then huh!

This is in a public domain of course. Makes me wonder what is being developed in secret.

[DesTROYer]

An aerospace / astronomy buff friend of mine was invited by NASA and the JPL last year over to the U.S. To see a launch and tour the facilities at JPL. He posted many photos of his trip, including a couple of the facility testing the first engine. Exciting stuff.

[VH-WAL]

Friday Rant
Iphone selfie culture..I stay clear of facebook and crap like that so it doesn't irrit me much, what does grind my gears is TV, MKR, that marry someone you havent met thing, renovation programs all that "Reality" TV inverted commas because it is not reality people, it is contrived and orchestrated. It is very very cheap to make and you can see it dumbing down the population, there are days of the week where there nothing absolutely nothing worth watching, one can only watch so much of Raymond and Big Bang re-runs! I can very easily live without TV

[Adam the Akrodude]

@Troy - super jealous of your friend! What a great trip that must have been.

J-2X engine test below. This is the baby that will power Orion, in conjunction with solid boosters. I love how these babies can "gimbal" to steer the rocket. J-2X is a direct descendant of the powerful F-1 engine from Apollo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9F0WzdV4fI

@Wally - I hear ya buddy! Such a stoopid world at the moment. I'm doing my best to ensure my kids don't dumb down. Even the syllabus in primary school here has so dumbed down. Maths, spelling - you know the basics that were drummed into us as kids just doesn't seem to be of importance these days. This country is seriously dumbing down at a alarming rate.

[DesTROYer]

Give me a F1 launch any day.

http://youtu.be/DKtVpvzUF1Y

[Adam the Akrodude]

I'm hearing ya Troy! I was woken up by my parents at age 5 for Apollo 11 launch. Think it was around 2-3AM. Still vividly remember watching this on our little B/W telly!

[oz rb fan]

Adam i was at school when man landed on the moon...we were allowed to go home to watch it live(and not much later i was given the day off to see one of the prototype Concorde's land and take off from Melbourne airport).......we can only hope there is budget for exploring our solar system
"VASIMR" looks like a development of the ion engine that was being worked on about 20 or more years ago(btw TIE in the star wars stuff means Twin Ion Engine)

[tor lives]

Give me a F1 launch any day.

http://youtu.be/DKtVpvzUF1Y

How can ya not be impressed by the shear and awesome power of those F1s
Watching that vid, you can almost feel the ground shaking. It is amazing what us humans can do when we put our mind to it.
TOR