Wild and crazy x-prize entry

Okay, I'm behind the times, but just today, I came across something cute at one
of the fan sites for the x-plane simulator from laminar research. The proposal
is called "X-prize for dummies". It involves using an SRB from an Atlas V
strapped under the belly of a now-surplus Concorde. Concorde goes up to mac
ceiling at mach one-plus, kicks in thr aerojet rocket, bada-bing, 100 pasengers
become x-prize passengers. Of course it is insane, and yet....;-)

In article ,
Greg D. Moore \(Strider\) wrote:
Even if all those come out positive, it would not qualify for the X-Prize.
The SRB is a government designed/funded rocket.
And the Concorde is a government funded plane.

The X-Prize rules don't prohibit use of government-developed hardware...
provided (if I recall correctly) it is available to all teams at the same
price.

The Atlas strap-ons are nominally commercially available, although not
cheap. (I don't think Atlas has exclusive rights to them.)

But I don't think one can reasonably argue that Concordes are generally
available. I think you'd have difficulty getting even one, let alone
establishing that they are available to all comers.
--
MOST launched 30 June; science observations running | Henry Spencer
since Oct; first surprises seen; papers pending. |

Greg D. Moore (Strider) wrote:

Are there sufficently thrust bearing points on the structure there?
(I doubt it.)

Ther are better alternatives.

How far offset must the rocket be, to keep the exhaust from toasting
the skin of the plane?

Even if all those come out positive, it would not qualify for the X-Prize.

The SRB is a government designed/funded rocket.

And the Concorde is a government funded plane.

My recommendation would be to retrofit one of the Antonov heavy lifters
or at least use it for its original purpose - a lifter for a smaller
space-plane.