CATS Prize team plans space launch attempt this weekend
David Anderman
competition, plans to attempt a launch into space this weekend. Although
this will not be a CATS Prize attempt, this test launch, if successful,
would put a small payload into space.
For more information on this weekend's launch attempt, check out:
For information about the $250,000 CATS Prize, check out:
http:/www.space-frontier.org
David Anderman
http://www.space.com/space/launches/cats_prize_000322.html
Jim Benson
die, be extended or the amount increased?
Jim
On Wed, 22 Mar 2000 21:27:42 GMT, David Anderman <dav...@cwo.com> was
forced by men in trench coats to say:
Michael K. Heney
On Sun, 26 Mar 2000, Jim Benson wrote:
> If no one wins the CATS prize by the current deadline, will the prize
> die, be extended or the amount increased?
>
> Jim
It expires, and the prize money reverts to FINDS.
The concept of *increasing* the prize money because no one was able to
meet specs sounds a lot like government contracting - I don't think that
would fly too well with the people putting up the money for this!
pete
On the other hand, considering the prize amount is laughably microscopic
relative to the development costs of the project, increasing the
prize is not an unreasonable idea. Heck, 20x the current amount
would still be reasonable. Of course, that would require finding
someone who that that kind of money to put up...
--
==========================================================================
vin...@triumf.ca Pete Vincent
Disclaimer: all I know I learned from reading Usenet.
David Anderman
anywhere close to $250,000 on development of their CATS prize launcher.
Remember, to put a 2 kilogram payload 200 kilometers would require
something like a "R" motor staged with a "P" motor, which are
practically off-the-shelf.
Also, when asked back in '97 the question of whether the competitors
planned to launch into space with or without the CATS prize, virtually
all of the teams stated that their plans were to launch into space
anyway. The greatest financial burden placed upon the teams is the CATS
prize requirement that the teams launch legally. This entails compliance
with FAA regulations and purchase of insurance.
For more information about the CATS Prize, check out:
Jonathan A Goff
> It is highly unlikely that any serious CATS Prize will have spent
> anywhere close to $250,000 on development of their CATS prize launcher.
I have to agree with David. The only cost that could possibly
drive things much past $50k is regulatory costs.
> Remember, to put a 2 kilogram payload 200 kilometers would require
> something like a "R" motor staged with a "P" motor, which are
> practically off-the-shelf.
You could even go with a simple HTP monopropellant
rocket that had a single PE tank wrapped in fiberglass,
and a simple pressure fed, catalyst bed rocket engine.
It wouldn't need much better than an MR of ~3.8
Using HTP/JP-5 yields an mR of roughly 2. This ain't tough.
> Also, when asked back in '97 the question of whether the competitors
> planned to launch into space with or without the CATS prize, virtually
> all of the teams stated that their plans were to launch into space
> anyway. The greatest financial burden placed upon the teams is the CATS
> prize requirement that the teams launch legally. This entails compliance
> with FAA regulations and purchase of insurance.
Yup, if it weren't for the regulator costs, and the fact that
I'm gone in August, I could have built such a rocket myself for
only a couple thousand.