On 9/11/2010 7:28 PM, David Spain wrote:
wrote:
Slated to launch no later than 2018, the smart car-
sized spacecraft will plunge directly into the
atmosphere of the sun,

Umm, is this to be another COTS program?
So which solar powered smart car gets the nod?

I actually saw one of those a couple of weeks ago; it looks like my
ancient 1992 Ford Festiva with the back seats removed, and downsized to
fit Munchkins.
https://wiki-land.wikispaces.com/Smart+cars
I think it's cute as hell, and it's probably a lot of fun to drive too.
Sort of what a scooter is to a motorcycle.
Of course the car I dream of owning is this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_KR200
You know why?
Because the original engine for it was the Reidel two-stroke starter
motor used to rev up the Junkers-Jumo 004 turbojets to ignition speed on
the Me-262 jet fighter in WWII.
It would be like driving a Nazi secret weapon of some kind around.
The exterior would have to be done in a dark-green/black green splinter
camouflage scheme, the interior in jet black and brushed steel, and a
dull-silver skull with a little mustache on it replacing the gear-shift
knob.
Bumper sticker: "Adolph Hitler Ist Der Krieg! Beim Nächsten Mal Sicher!"
in blood red letters over a black background. :-D

Pat