Rocket Racer Flies Record Seven Times in Four Days
NEW YORK, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rocket Racing League today
announced the successful results of the first seven test flights of the
Bridenstine DKNY Rocket Racer(R) conducted at the Oklahoma Spaceport
(OKSP), a leading facility specializing in horizontal take-off and landing
of Reusable Launch Vehicles, in Burns Flat, Oklahoma.
The Bridenstine DKNY Rocket Racer vehicle, now equipped with liquid
oxygen (LOX)-alcohol engines manufactured by Armadillo Aerospace, a leading
developer of reusable rocket powered vehicles based in Mesquite, Texas,
underwent an aggressive flight test campaign designed to validate static
and dynamic airframe and engine stability throughout its entire operating
envelope.
"The successful conclusion of this flight test campaign marks two
important milestones for the League, allowing us to proceed on our planned
schedule of exhibition race events throughout the remainder of 2008 and
2009 and also validating our rapid prototyping capability in bringing new
and innovative rocket powered vehicles from concept to flight inside of a
six month development period," said Granger Whitelaw, Rocket Racing League
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
"We are thrilled to have been selected as the facility of choice by the
Rocket Racing League for its initial flight test program," said Bill
Khourie, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Space Industry Development
Authority (OSIDA). "The Oklahoma Spaceport provided the League with a
qualified facility including a runway of almost three miles in length,
hangar facilities, safety officials, air traffic control, and other support
staff and housing. It was a major milestone in our evolution as we played
an instrumental role in the incredibly successful flights of the Rocket
Racer to altitudes in excess of 12,000 feet."
"The Oklahoma Spaceport and its staff have proven to be a highly
valuable asset to the Rocket Racing League," said Michael D'Angelo, Rocket
Racing League Chief Technology Officer. "We've made great progress in
rapidly moving from static engine tests, to powered taxis, and now, through
collaboration with OKSP, we've successfully completed our R&D up-and-away
flights of the Bridenstine DKNY Rocket Racer."
Videos and photographs of the Rocket Racer test flights are available
for download and viewing at the following FTP site:
Domain: rocketracingleague.ipower.com
Username: press_ftp
Password: pressmaterials
NOTE: You will need an FTP Client Program to access site
For more information or to find a schedule of future Rocket Racing
League events, visit http://www.RocketRacingLeague.com.
About The Rocket Racing League(R)
Founded in 2005 by two-time Indianapolis 500 winning team partner
Granger Whitelaw and X PRIZE Chairman and CEO Peter H. Diamandis, MD, the
Rocket Racing League(R) (RRL(TM)) is a new entertainment sports league that
combines the exhilaration of racing with the power of rocket engines. To be
held at venues across the country, the Rocket Racing League will feature
multiple races pitting up to 10 Rocket Racers going head to head in a
4-lap, multiple elimination heat format on a 5-mile "Formula One"-like
closed circuit raceway in the sky. For more information on the Rocket
Racing League, please visit http://www.rocketracingleague.com.
About The Oklahoma Spaceport
Specializing in air-launch / horizontal landing and horizontal take-off
and landing of Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs) this launch site became the
first U.S. inland spaceport with an established flight corridor for space
operations in the national airspace system clear of military operating
areas or restricted airspace. This arrangement means that space vehicles
will not need military permission to operate because the spaceport will
have its own airspace making the Oklahoma Spaceport ideal for the
development of rocket powered vehicles.
Media Contact
John McCartney
Attention! for Rocket Racing League
(212) 201-7893
john_mccartney@attentionusa.com
|
