Autorotator Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 This is something I have never seen before. I guess the idea is when it comes back into earths atmosphere, it deploys the rotor blades instead of a parachute so it can land where it wants. I'm sure there is more to it than that, but with the little research I did on it, that's what I gather. Pretty neat. Click me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodrop Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 This is something I have never seen before. I guess the idea is when it comes back into earths atmosphere, it deploys the rotor blades instead of a parachute so it can land where it wants. I'm sure there is more to it than that, but with the little research I did on it, that's what I gather. Pretty neat. Click me. thats crazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
permison Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 This was a program that was in competition for the shuttle replacement back in the 90s. You can find more info on wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_Rocket It was a great idea. Unfortunetly the test platform crashed during a landing (well not crashed but on it's last flight one of the landing gear retracted and the spacecraft fell onto its side, completely destroying the test platform). They did not recive further funding to build another. It's too bad becuse this was a great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relyon Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 (edited) Pretty old news. Roton was developed by Rotary Rocket, Inc. which closed it's doors in 2001. ... Unfortunetly the test platform crashed during a landing (well not crashed but on it's last flight one of the landing gear retracted and the spacecraft fell onto its side, completely destroying the test platform). They did not recive further funding to build another. It's too bad becuse this was a great idea.Are you sure you're not confusing Roton with the McDonnell Douglas DC-X? That was a great idea. It was a VTOL craft, even though it had nothing to do with helicopters. Bob Edited May 7, 2008 by relyon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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