Comments on: XCOR Releases New Images of Rocket Test

By: Randall Clague

Randall Clague — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:16:41 +0000

We only have the one environment here on Earth, and if we damage it, it is very difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to repair. While TrustMe jumped to a negative conclusion, his implied question – does rocket engine static testing have an unacceptable impact on the environment – is valid.

XCOR rocket engine static tests fall under the jurisdiction of the Kern County Air Pollution Control District (KCAPCD). XCOR holds a current and valid KCAPCD Permit To Operate (PTO) for the test stand shown. The PTO lists several pollutant thresholds XCOR may not exceed in a given permit year.

These threshold limits are not difficult to meet when testing liquid fuel rocket engines. Indeed, when KCAPCD published a new Rule 431 in 2006, setting new lower limits for particle emissions, LOX/methane and LOX/kerosene were specifically exempted from most of the new reporting requirements, because they produce so little smoke.

By: Olaf

Olaf — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:23:20 +0000

Ohhhh nooooo, Trustme just destroyed the world by using Internet!!!!!

By: Emission Nebula

Emission Nebula — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:50:27 +0000

I thought it was already well established; DONT FEED THE TROLLS!

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:09:37 +0000

Hey Trustme,

There was a news story yesterday about how 2 google searches uses the equivilent energy of boiling 2 pots of water! You'd better stop using the internet because you destroy the planet when you do.

Signed
TakeAFlyingLeap

By: Derek

Derek — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:52:36 +0000

This guy has caused quite a stir. I'm surprised anyone takes him seriously.

If you honestly claim to be concerned about the future of mankind, the planet, and climate change, then I don't see how you can argue against space exploration. Its either in or out.

By: Yael Dragwyla

Yael Dragwyla — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:20:22 +0000

TrustMe is looking for a soapbox. I don't think this is the place to find what he's looking for.

By: Erik T

Erik T — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:19:22 +0000

TrustMe…

No. Trust me! Your post just polluted the earth, ever thought about that? All the switches/servers used up alot of energy routing your message and for what purpose? Make that your enviromental study.

Seriously, wrong place to preach about enviromental hazards, since most of us are educated enough to realize that space might be the thing to save us all, one way or the other. Or is it just me?

By: Chris W

Chris W — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:26:28 +0000

Aside from the unproductive and foolishly placed statement provided by some…

It is great to see so many private groups reaching this level of technology. Between SpaceShip One, Space X, XCOR, Virgin Galactic and many others; it is greatly inspirational to see that someone other than a major government is showing so much interest in the exploration of space. Who knows, in years to come we may start to see private companies shoot not only for orbit, but also for the moon, Mars, the belts, Jupiter, Saturn… maybe i shouldn't get too far ahead of myself. But even so this truly makes me happy.

By: Dominion

Dominion — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:08:25 +0000

Thank you Mr. Greenjeans. Could not have said that better myself.

By: Mr. Greenjeans

Mr. Greenjeans — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:02:05 +0000

TrustMe (an oxymoron) is at it again. Very bad. You must submit to your own environmental impact study and measure the emptiness of your arguments, the ineffectiveness of your ideas and the sheer waste you're excreting with every syllable. Far more damage is done to the planet with your foolishness than any test rocket. Every time you type, you're hastening the downfall of modern civilization.

By: Silver Thread

Silver Thread — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:59:40 +0000

I may be mistaken, but as I understand it, the by product of many rocket engines is Steam and Water. Beside that, it isn't President Elect Obama's place to interfere with a Free Enterprise like this since it isn't funded by the Government.

It is a bit egotistical to claim "We've Destroyed this Planet". We couldn't if we tried with every ounce of Human ingenuity we posses. We can make it uninhabitable for our own species. We may exterminate much of the life on the planet in the process, but I would be willing to guarantee that we Will not, and Can not destroy the planet.

It will go on, and millions of years from now, evidence of humanity will be an academic exercise for which ever creature replaces us as the next "intelligent" being to walk the face of the earth and assume our current spot on the food chain.

By: TrustMe

TrustMe — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:27:34 +0000

Firing these things off without a comprehensive before/after environmental impact study is foolish as well as dangerous. When Obama takes office, I pray he will have the wisdom to put these wasteful projects on the back burner indefinitely. We've destroyed this planet, let's not destroy space too.

By: Schultz

Schultz — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:23:53 +0000

Looks like it's going to be a hell of a ride!

I really enjoy your prolific news posts, Nancy. Thanks.