Micro spacecraft to blast single brave rider into space
How desperate are you to fly into space? Copenhagen Suborbitals has a crazy plan to cram you into the nosecone of this minuscule missile, blasting you into space and returning you safely to Earth, all by your lonesome self. That standing-up position doesn't look too comfortable, but claustrophobic daredevils can rest easy because the entire tip of the nosecone is transparent, showing the rider a magnificent view of the rapidly approaching cosmos.
They're calling this rocket HEAT, or Hybrid Exo Atmospheric Transporter, and it'll propel a human into space at a relatively gentle 3g force, hardly enough to break even the fragilest of legs. The quarters will be cramped, with the astronaut strapped into the pressurized compartment so tightly, only limited arm movement will be possible. Not exactly a limo ride, but maybe it'll be cheap.
This is one of two upcoming craft from the Danish aerospace startup — the other vehicle will be the unmanned Hybrid Atmospheric Test Vehicle, a 1/3-scale sounding rocket that will test the company's new rocket engines. That motor is off to a good start, passing its first test earlier this week — hit Continue to see a video of that engine in action: