Rocket Racer Flies Record Seven Times In Four Days

The Rocket Racer has some serious flight time under its wings. The Rocket Racing League announced Thursday the successful results of the first seven test flights of the Bridenstine DKNY Rocket Racer conducted at the Oklahoma Spaceport (OKSP) in Burns Flat.

The Bridenstine DKNY Rocket Racer vehicle -- now equipped with liquid oxygen (LOX)-alcohol engines manufactured by Armadillo Aerospace, as ANN reported last month -- underwent an aggressive flight test campaign designed to validate static and dynamic airframe and engine stability throughout its entire operating envelope.

"The successful conclusion of this flight test campaign marks two important milestones for the League, allowing us to proceed on our planned schedule of exhibition race events throughout the remainder of 2008 and 2009 and also validating our rapid prototyping capability in bringing new and innovative rocket powered vehicles from concept to flight inside of a six month development period," said Granger Whitelaw, Rocket Racing League Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

"We are thrilled to have been selected as the facility of choice by the Rocket Racing League for its initial flight test program," said Bill Khourie, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA). "The Oklahoma Spaceport provided the League with a qualified facility including a runway of almost three miles in length, hangar facilities, safety officials, air traffic control, and other support staff and housing. It was a major milestone in our evolution as we played an instrumental role in the incredibly successful flights of the Rocket Racer to altitudes in excess of 12,000 feet."

"The Oklahoma Spaceport and its staff have proven to be a highly valuable asset to the Rocket Racing League," said Michael D'Angelo, Rocket Racing League Chief Technology Officer. "We've made great progress in rapidly moving from static engine tests, to powered taxis, and now, through collaboration with OKSP, we've successfully completed our R&D up-and-away flights of the Bridenstine DKNY Rocket Racer."

A first public demonstration race is tentatively scheduled for the 2008 Reno Air Races, to be held September 10-14 at Reno-Stead Airport (4SD).

FMI: www.rocketracingleague.com, www.armadilloaerospace.com, www.okspaceport.state.ok.us/