Falcon HTV-2 lost

[jcjeant]

Hi,

Falcon HTV-2 is lost during bid to become fastest ever plane | World news | The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/11/fastest-ever-plane-lost-during-test-flight)

[jamesdevice]

I read that as "succesful launch of variable orbit spy satellite disguised as project failure"

[tartare]

It's easy to forget how hard this is to do.
Imagine the air loads and thermal effects.
From what I understand it's not just dropping like a capsule or an ICBM MIRV (two vehicles that operate in a similar envelope) - it's attempting to fly, with cross range capability at around four times the speed of the X15.
I imagine a fraction of a degree pitch up or down from the design angle of attack would result in instant vehicle destruction.
Perhaps some engineers with more knowledge may be able to add insight...

[rh200]

Someone should put it up on ebay for a laugh.

" One remote control hypersonic vehicle going cheep, one owner, and has only done one trip".

[bad livin']

The lock ups of Peckham might not be a bad place to start looking.

[sisemen]

The "pictures" look awfully like Aurora to me. Ooops! I'll have the black helicopter arriving any minute now.

[BEagle]

Another drone bits the dust..... Or rather, ocean.

A pretty quick drone, mind you.

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Finding it could prove tricky.. lost at 4 miles/second..

[Runaway Gun]

Not that it would glide very far ;)

[sitigeltfel]

One remote control hypersonic vehicle going cheep,

If it is indeed tweeting, they could always ask it where it has landed :}

[glad rag]

I wonder if any seismic stations pick the impact up?

[Senior Pilot]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/163319152_bf464f0951_o.jpg

[Vizsla]

Why would it have to roll inverted before ditching?
Something to do with limited control surfaces in normal flight ?

[bobward]

Has anyone asked Dale Brown?


ex-USAF nav, turned 'thriller' writer, and nothing to do with the da Vinci code chappie.....