LASER propelled Rockets

Overcoming gravity is not easy. Conventional rockets are 97 percent fuel and tanks. Even NASA's mighty Saturn 5 moon launchers had just 3 to 5 percent available for payloads.

A new technology under study would use ground-based lasers or microwaves to zap a heat exchanger on the rocket, releasing more energy from the fuel. The heat exchanger works like a hot plate, spiking the temperature of the fuel to more than 3,100 degrees Fahrenheit (1,704 degrees Celsius), which significantly increases the rocket's thrust.

"The objective is to reduce the cost of getting into space. The way this rocket works, it has a more energetic propulsive system than one where you have fuel and oxidizer that release energy," Carnegie Mellon University's Kevin Parkin, head of the Microwave Thermal Rocket project at NASA's Ames Research Center in California, told Discovery News.

The biggest stumbling block is not technical, but financial. Startup costs to build the ground facility would be high, but supporters say overall launch costs would be sharply reduced.

"It only makes sense economically if you're going to launch a large number of payloads," said physicist Jordin Kare, who pioneered the technology while working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

"Some alternatives to conventional launchers really are highly desirable. It may be time to at least do some development work to see if this is at least potential," Kare, who is now an independent consultant based in Seattle, told Discovery News.

The technology is most suited to payloads weighing around 100 kilograms (220 pounds), but it would be capable of thousands of launches per year so larger spacecraft could be assembled and refueled in orbit. Think of it like a pipeline instead of a ship, Kare points out.

Thermal beamed systems also would be safer than today's rockets. First, the vehicles are very simple, so there is not much that can fail. Second, they are not explosive.

"The notion of the rocket where engines can be working but avionics fails doesn't exist. It can't go anywhere the laser isn't pointed. And it can't explode in the way that rockets occasionally do. There just isn't the energy onboard," Kare said.

"Also, because it's high rate launch system, you can do far more testing than you can on any other system," he added. "You can launch thousands of times before you launch a person or a high-value payload."

With only hydrogen as exhaust, the system is environmentally friendly, though there may be an issue with birds flying through the lasers or microwave beams as they track the rocket into space.

NASA's Glenn Research Center in Ohio is conducting a study to assess the viability of beamed energy propulsion for space launches. The study is expected to conclude next month.

Taylor Aerocar (Unusual Aircraft Collection)

Every ten years of so, somewhere in the world an inventor slaps himself on his forehead and says, "Now why didn't I think of that before?".   After drawing up some preliminary sketches he makes his way to some unsuspecting investors and presents his plans to build and market a revolutionary aircraft - a hybrid automobile and commuter plane!   Now Joe Public will be able to drive his car out to the nearest airfield, get it ready for flight and then soar high above the congested freeways below him, filled with imbeciles gazing heavenward in wonder.

The idea that those very same imbeciles will be the ones filling the skies over everyone's heads doesn't faze either the inventor or his investors, whose eyes are filled either with stars or dollar signs.   The money goes on the table, the demonstration models are built and flown and then - nothing.   No hordes of ordinary people rushing out to pony up large quantities of cash for theflying car, no mass production and thankfully no imbeciles weaving dangerously above us.

The Taylor Aerocar was probably the most successful of these flying automobiles, though only six were ever built, and this is the only one which is still flying.   The same engine drives either its propeller or its front wheels.   With its wings folded backwards it can travel at 60 mph along the road, and in the air it can reach 110 mph.

AeroIndia2011

Boeing 747-8

Boeing has unveiled a new 747 passenger jet to rival the Airbus A380.
The new Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, which measures 250 feet in length, will be the world’s longest passenger jet.
The 747-8 has a capacity of 467 passengers, 51 more than the current 747. It was introduced to an audience of 10,000 in a factory in Everett, Washington, yesterday.
The 747-8 also has 16 percent less carbon emissions per passenger, and a noise footprint that is reduced by 30 percent from its predecessor the 747-400, according to Boeing.
"The new 747-8 Intercontinental features the latest in innovative technologies -- applying many of the breakthroughs also found on the 787 Dreamliner," said Jim Albaugh, Boeing Commercial CEO, referring to the carbon-composite plane whose delivery has been delayed by three years.
"We think our customers will value the low operating costs and passengers will enjoy the comfort of the striking new interior," said Albaugh.
The redesigned interior consists of a new curved, upswept architecture that is intended to give passengers a greater sense of space. There's also more room for personal belongings on the new plane.
Reuters reported that the 747-8 is currently listed at US$317.5 million. So far, Boeing has secured 33 orders for the passenger jet, including orders from Lufthansa and Korean Air.
The first delivery will take place in the fourth quarter this year. 
The freighter version of the 747-8 has already taken flight and is set for delivery later this year. Boeing has so far won 74 orders for the 747-8 freight.