UK Skylon spaceplane passes key review

[papa_smurf]

UK designed space plane is one step closer to reality, wonder why NASA didn't do anything like this:hmmm:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13506289

[krashkart]

Well that is one ugly duckling. But if REL manages to get it off the drawing board and into orbit, the Skylon would be a major boon to the future of space exploration. :salute:


Not sure if that concept has ever been studied o'er this side of the pond. Pretty sure TLAM would know for certain. :hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

Only hope it doesn't share the same fate as the TSR-2 :hmmm:

[Oberon]

Amen to that Jim. That's one nice looking SSTO. :yep:

[CCIP]

Actually there's been a lot of SSTO concepts, including in the US - although most of the recent US proposals are in the private sector rather than by NASA. I hope one comes into fruition soon enough - imo SSTO is the future, at least for earth orbit missions.

[Onkel Neal]

UK designed space plane is one step closer to reality, wonder why NASA didn't do anything like this:hmmm:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13506289




Because the we suck. Go, UK, go. Take the lead in space exploration. :salute: Thanks to Obama and a pi$$poor electorate, the US is hitching rides from the Russkies. :nope:

[Torplexed]

Well, I must say this is a very ambitious undertaking and I wish the UK all the best. :yeah:

The ESA is renowned for having top technical people and the fact that its experts could identify no immediate showstoppers is highly encouraging. That's not to say everything is plain sailing from here. The unexpected can always emerge to thwart best intentions, and in the case of Skylon the next hurdles may not be technical; they could just as easily be economic and political.

[TLAM Strike]

Not sure if that concept has ever been studied o'er this side of the pond. Pretty sure TLAM would know for certain. :hmmm:
We have been working on it forever...
Rockwell X-30 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_X-30)