X-Prize Rocket Explodes

[Joshua May]

Rubicon 1's unmanned test flight rocket for Rubicon 1 exploded after getting about 200 feet in the air. Apparently, this team is going for the "cheap" route, this rocket cost $20k to build.

Full Story (http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/08/09/bc.privaterocket.ap/index.html)

[spears312]

um, its a good thing it wasn't maned at the time, 20k is a little cheap for a project of this sort.

I know if I for some reason did want to go to space I would want to do it in something that costs more than your average car.

[Jay H 237]

Mistakes are part of the learning curve. Hopefully they will realize what went wrong and correct it before the next attempt. It was a good shot none the less. It would have been funny if they succeeded on $20k and showed that to NASA. Imagine how much more exploration NASA could do if thier missions cost well under $100k.

On second thought that's a bad idea. Dave would spend more time at JPL than at FIRST! :p