Contact lost with 13,000 mph HTV-2 during second flight...

[patchz]

An unmanned hypersonic glider developed for U.S. defense research into super-fast global strike capability was launched atop a rocket early Thursday

but contact was lost after the experimental craft began flying on its own, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency said. There was no immediate

information on how much of the mission's goals were achieved. The launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, 130 miles northwest of Los Angeles, was the

second of two planned flights of a Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle-2. Contact was also lost during the first mission.

http://news.yahoo.com/contact-lost-hype ... 16325.html

[Steve M]

Pretty cool project! Since there is no mention of landing gear, I'm assuming these aren't expected to return to base.  So how do we slow down a glider doing 13000 mph? Hello ground! 

[DaveSims]

Flying faster than the speed of radio?

[patchz]

[quote]Pretty cool project! Since there is no mention of landing gear, I'm assuming these aren't expected to return to base.

[Hagar]

Shaped like the tip of a spear, the small craft is part of a U.S. military initiative to develop technology to respond to threats at 20 times the speed of sound or greater, reaching any part of the globe in an hour.
The HTV-2 is designed to be launched to the edge of space, separate from its booster and maneuver through the atmosphere at 13,000 mph (21,000 kph) [glow=yellow,2,300]before intentionally crashing into the ocean.[/glow]

So it's hello water instead of ground. Hmm, now where was that last Tsunami?

Hmmm. Lost control at speeds between 17 and 22 times the speed of sound & plunged into the ocean. Sounds bloody dangerous & irresponsible to me. Typical scientists. Remind me to cancel that Pacific cruise.

[Steve M]

[quote][quote]Pretty cool project! Since there is no mention of landing gear, I'm assuming these aren't expected to return to base.

[Steve M]

Shaped like the tip of a spear, the small craft is part of a U.S. military initiative to develop technology to respond to threats at 20 times the speed of sound or greater, reaching any part of the globe in an hour.
The HTV-2 is designed to be launched to the edge of space, separate from its booster and maneuver through the atmosphere at 13,000 mph (21,000 kph) [glow=yellow,2,300]before intentionally crashing into the ocean.[/glow]

So it's hello water instead of ground. Hmm, now where was that last Tsunami?

Hmmm. Lost control at speeds between 17 and 22 times the speed of sound & plunged into the ocean. Sounds bloody dangerous & irresponsible to me. Typical scientists. Remind me to cancel that Pacific cruise.

Good answer Doug! 

[beaky]

Serves them right, not having a pilot aboard... i know, it would have cost 10 times as much to man-rate it...

[Jayhawk Jake]

Serves them right, not having a pilot aboard... i know, it would have cost 10 times as much to man-rate it...

I guarantee it would cost a heck of a lot more than 10 times as much to man rate it

When it's in the name of science, a failure can provide more information than a success.  So it might not all be bad, although the government likely won't fund it anymore...

[ozzy72]

Sorry chaps, I was playing with my RC car and was practicing doughnuts

[hyperpep111]

They should just give all the politicians and lawyers a fwee wide. Say it's the new sst. 

[ozzy72]

That'd make the world a considerably safer and happier place

[hyperpep111]

Wait!!! They Crashed it into they lost contact with it at 13000 mph, They say it crashed into the sea. Seems that the USA has some explaining and apologies to tell the Japanese. :-/ *Sigh* They could have just crashed it into the new Chinese carrier. It would have been worth the cash . Speaking about money, Larry should call the topic:
'Billions lost at 13,000 mph'
 

[ozzy72]

I know a couple of bike riders who'd love to be able to make that kind of claim on their tyres

[hyperpep111]

OMG It was on Kenyan News yesterday. That was fast