John Carmack's latest plaything

[Eraser]

I think Rage went the same way, didn't it?

[U4EA]

Tip: turn down the volume to like 5% before starting the video. I love the curvature of the horizon in videos like this. And I love camera footage from little things that fly.

[Eraser]

Tip: turn down the volume to like 5% before starting the video. I love the curvature of the horizon in videos like this. And I love camera footage from little things that fly.

The curvature of the horizon is caused by the use of a wide angle fish lens. It's not actually the curvature of the Earth you're seeing.

[U4EA]

I'm sure it accentuates it, but can't be the only factor.

edit: Although at the heights this rocket got to, it's probably just the lens.

[Eraser]

If you look at the splash image of the video, you're seeing a pretty large curvature of the horizon. If you look at the ground you'll see that the rocket is still very low to the ground actually. At that altitude, you're normally not seeing a whole lot of curvature of the horizon. I think that the curvature you see is caused for like 95% by the lens and possible 5% by actual curvature of the Earth.

edit: at 0:36 - 0:40 you're seeing a huge curvature of the horizon while the thing hasn't launched yet. That's the amount of curvature the lens is causing.

[seremtan]

if these exciting developments in rocketry continue, it can only be a matter of a couple of centuries before Man finally walks on the Moon!

[obsidian]

Yeah, because building a test rocket always works flawlessly the first time.

Flight 2 made it to 95km (designated edge of space) but parachute didn't deploy properly when it hit atmosphere. Only a matter of time before they work out the kinks and improve reliability.

Besides, Armadillo has been specializing in very successful modular VTOL rockets. Orbital rockets aren't something they've been doing as much work on.

[seremtan]

my point went over your head! like a rocket!

[GONNAFISTYA]

Meh. Rich people playing with rockets and still not getting it right. Even after more than 50 years of NASA-tested rocket technology to pull from, they decide to reinvent their own wheel and just waste money. Morons.

I understand some people are interested because there's someone named "Carmack" attached, but unless they have a stake in it, they really shouldn't be interested at all in some guy's hobby. Bored now.

P.S. Their approach of "reinventing the wheel", designing their own shit because fuck u and not pulling from already existing and available rocket tech indicates more than anything that the people behind the scenes are game devs....because game devs NEVER learn anything from past projects and always start at ground zero.

[Eraser]

Wow GKY, you are uncharacteristically shortsighted on this. The whole point of this project is to design, build and launch a reusable rocket for a budget low enough to make it commercially viable. The problem with NASA is that the budgets they require are unsustainable, especially with today's political climate. If Armadillo or one of the other teams is able to fill NASA's boots at just a fraction of the cost, then that is a huge leap for space flight.

[GONNAFISTYA]

There are several "private" rocket firms in full operation today all over the world that they can learn lessons from to make it viable. It's not alien technology anymore.

Like I said, I'm not really poo pooing their project, just their "we need it done our way with our tech" approach...which isn't usually the smartest route.

[seremtan]

The problem with NASA is that the budgets they require are unsustainable, especially with today's political climate.

ah yes, "today's political climate"

DoD spending 2010: $689 billion (20% of federal budget), increased to $707.5 billion for 2012
NASA budget 2010: $18.7 billion (0.52% of federal budget), decreased to $17.7 billion for 2012-15

"unsustainable" is a loaded term used by people who want to disguise a political decision as a decree handed down by the Economy God Who Must Be Obeyed

[Transient]

We could put people on Mars in 10-15 years with NASA's crippled budget, no problem. The reason we aren't boils down to greed, as usual. GG humans.

[obsidian]

Meh. Rich people playing with rockets and still not getting it right. Even after more than 50 years of NASA-tested rocket technology to pull from, they decide to reinvent their own wheel and just waste money. Morons.

As mentioned, Armadillo's primary business is in VTOL rockets for sub-orbital take-offs and landing... think of a lunar lander kind of space craft, but completely automated and modular to be easily scalable. They aren't trying to compete with Space X.

[Whiskey 7]

Enjoyed the first video Eraser.
Amazing what some people get up to (literally).

Now watching the Transient (lengthy) one

[Eraser]

ah yes, "today's political climate"

DoD spending 2010: $689 billion (20% of federal budget), increased to $707.5 billion for 2012
NASA budget 2010: $18.7 billion (0.52% of federal budget), decreased to $17.7 billion for 2012-15

"unsustainable" is a loaded term used by people who want to disguise a political decision as a decree handed down by the Economy God Who Must Be Obeyed

You're right, but that's actually what I meant. I don't believe NASA's spendings are problematic, the problem lies with the investment people (politicians) are willing to do these days. So perhaps I should've said "because of todays political climate" instead.

[Eraser]

There are several "private" rocket firms in full operation today all over the world that they can learn lessons from to make it viable. It's not alien technology anymore.

Like I said, I'm not really poo pooing their project, just their "we need it done our way with our tech" approach...which isn't usually the smartest route.

The point is moot because of the reasons outlined by obsidian. Still, if someone believes there's a different, better way to do something, then he should go and try it. Also, where one fails at first, one might succeed later. With your attitude, the great inventions of this world would never have been done. We never would have put a man on the moon. Sometimes it requires an unconventional and wayward way of thinking to achieve truely revolutionary progress.

[scared?]

Lol...

[Plan B]

What's he trying to achieve, though?

[GONNAFISTYA]

There are several "private" rocket firms in full operation today all over the world that they can learn lessons from to make it viable. It's not alien technology anymore.

Like I said, I'm not really poo pooing their project, just their "we need it done our way with our tech" approach...which isn't usually the smartest route.

The point is moot because of the reasons outlined by obsidian. Still, if someone believes there's a different, better way to do something, then he should go and try it. Also, where one fails at first, one might succeed later. With your attitude, the great inventions of this world would never have been done. We never would have put a man on the moon. Sometimes it requires an unconventional and wayward way of thinking to achieve truely revolutionary progress.

lol pull your tongue out of the man's ass and maybe I'll take you seriously. That's the most idiotic argument I've seen you type in years.