Aug 28 2007NASA's New Rocket
NASA has been doing extensive testing of its new 5M15 rocket out in the Mojave Desert, and by the look of things, it's awesome. The engine runs off compressed liquid methane, which NASA believes to be a smart choice.
The odorless substance has multiple advantages over conventional rocket propellants: It's cheaper, it requires much less insulation, and it exists on several planets NASA hopes to travel to, like Mars.
After watching the video I think it's safe to say that it's perfectly normal if it makes you hot and bothered. I had a pup tent appear as soon as the engine fired up, and I'm going to display it proudly all day as my way of saying "I love rockets".
The video after a jump (make sure to have the sound up for full effect).
NASA's New Rocket [wired]
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Reader Comments
1. daguz - August 28, 2007 12:04 PM
It looks like me after a burrito dinner.
2. saint_andrew - August 28, 2007 12:22 PM
Would have been more impressed if it had come off of its supports and flown into space but you can't have it all
3. Tall Face - August 28, 2007 12:29 PM
...and i'm spent!
4. Jaeger - August 28, 2007 12:54 PM
zomgz. can i have one?
5. Brennie - August 28, 2007 1:20 PM
5 megawatts by mid may! Dr. Hathaway will HAVE to give Chris his degree now. Although I would have used synthesized excited bromide in an argon matrix.
6. TBYRNE123 - August 28, 2007 1:32 PM
But Brennie..that would be like lazing a stick of dynamite.
7. Willravel - August 28, 2007 1:46 PM
I didn't know you could braid a rocket. It's like Rapunzel got slapped in the face with a cool stick.
8. flareback - August 28, 2007 1:59 PM
that was cool, and the smoke at the end, that just completed the effect.
9. CAPITALLETTERS - August 28, 2007 2:09 PM
Steam.
10. icwiener - August 28, 2007 2:32 PM
dude that was only the coolest thing ever, and the fact that it runs off methane the same shit that comes from my ass. i could power my own rocket.....o looky there we have lift off.
11. Joe Mamma - August 28, 2007 3:27 PM
That would be hotter than the surface of the sun!
12. Cobes04 - August 28, 2007 5:48 PM
I <3 NASA. Awesome!
13. BNew - August 28, 2007 9:00 PM
I dare whoever writes this site to NOT make a penis joke.
It's getting old.
Cool rocket though.
14. guyla - August 28, 2007 11:37 PM
Shwing! I just knocked my cat over.
15. Eddy - August 28, 2007 11:37 PM
that was amazing...
now...
if we had an engine that ran on a nuclear generator...
frick...
if we only had a hyperdrive engine.
but...
baby steps i guess...
16. Erik - August 28, 2007 11:50 PM
Wow. Rocket engine, or super fun flamethrower? Let's go melt some bitches.
17. Michael Brown - August 29, 2007 12:12 AM
Now is that a real vid or a 3D viz? Cause to me that flame looks way too cool and smooth (and braided?) to be real... if it's real I will let it have my children.
18. vixen - August 29, 2007 7:07 PM
16. Erik - August 28, 2007 11:50 PM
Wow. Rocket engine, or super fun flamethrower? Let's go melt some bitches.
wow. nice.
('super fun'...lol...that was awesome.)
19. vixen - August 29, 2007 7:11 PM
am i the only one wondering how this thing is supposed to get to mars.... but doesn't manage to budge the thing its strapped to an inch?
i mean, wile e. coyote strapped simple rockets to his back and he took off like lightning.
20. B@rt - August 31, 2007 6:34 PM
that was bitchin. But I want to see how fast the Semi would go with that full power
21. Angel Mass - August 31, 2007 10:56 PM
Dang, looks like the freaking weapon of a decepticon
22. :x - October 10, 2007 2:24 PM
Shoop da Whoop!