Rocket Plane Races Alone

Apparently, there is no doubt about the winner of the Rocket Racing League's first race, since the competition that took place on Tuesday saw only one rocket plane in the sky, namely that of the XCOR Aerospace of Mojave. The Armadillo rocket plane did not receive the flight approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and therefore was not allowed to fly in the contest that promised a race between the two on a 3D track.

The first edition of the Rocket Racing League took place at the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and was destined to reveal the performances of two engine designs equipping the aircraft. However, due to insufficient engine testing, the rocket plane built by the Armadillo Aerospace of Mesquite, Texas, remained on display in the league's demonstration tent, with its engine exposed for the keen eyes of the public.

Similar test flights had also been scheduled for the rest of the week, but since the Armadillo plane is not allowed to fly, skeptics say that it will probably take its first test flight in less than public circumstances.

On the other hand, the XCOR rocket plane, carrying a rocket engine fueled with oxygen and kerosene, took to the sky while trailing an orange flame behind it, periodically turned on and off in order to preserve fuel and to decrease the speed of the vehicle, because it was not yet capable of sustaining an air velocity greater than 560 kilometers per hour.

By contrast, the engine powering the Armadillo rocket plane is fueled with oxygen and ethanol, and is able to vary its thrust, thus should not alternate rocket-powered flight with gliding periods. The plane will have another big opportunity to race head to head with the XCOR aircraft during September 10 to 14 at the Reno National Championship Air Races in Nevada.