A Less-than-sonic Boom
Comments: 5
A 1:10 scale test version of the supersonic jet under joint development by Mitsubishi and Nissan separated from its booster just after takeoff during its maiden run in the Australian desert. Oops.
Japanese Scale-Model Superjet Crashes in Test
ReutersStartled kangaroos hopped by as the aircraft burned off on the ground on a bright day.
“Of course there’s a little disappointment. However this is the first step for the verification of our experimental technology so that we can have another good, successful launch,” Japanese scientist Kimio Sakata told reporters after the crash.
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Posted to Oh, the Humanity • 2002.07.15 (Mon) • 00:16
Comments
Posted by Scott 2002.06.28, 13:21
very clever thought and one i’d vote for.
Posted by jh 2002.06.29, 00:22
I imagine my modest proposal would go down like a fish milkshake, but I really can’t think of any serious, constitutional objections to it (the usual, I-am-not-a-lawyer caveat applies).
Although I haven’t owned an internal combustion engine of any description for more than 10 years (you don’t need a car in Tokyo), I love cars and love driving so I’m not suggesting this as some Luddite who wants to get rid of the things.
The simple fact is that we need to start paying for our decisions. Considering that this whole ‘war on terrorism’ thing is really about oil (as was the recent Venezuelan coup), this seems like a good place to start.
Posted by Admiralisation 2002.06.29, 03:47
I live in the US and feel there are far too many SUVs. The first wave were not so bad, ala Ford Explorer and Jeep Cherokee. But then, the Cherokee becaome “grand” and Ford upsized (like a Biggie-fry at Wendy’s) their entry to the Navigator. Car companies now can’t help but sell them, since demand is so high.
The real question is: why do they exist? One, families insist in taking their kids places, where in the past, they could live peacefully at home. People walked to the store, they didn’t drive. Two, the overly American desire to drive a bus. We bus our kids to school, putting all the wordly power of that $60,000 yellow machine in one man or woman’s hands… she controlled the radio, the cooling, the heat, and that neat-o door. Now we all want to have that power. My idea, anyhow. What will be next? Fines if you don’t have a full truck, I mean, car load? I say, why not.
Posted by Mary Beth 2002.07.02, 10:33
I couldn’t agree more. Not only are the gas requirements of these things unbelievable, but I’m tired of not being able to see where I’m going or to pull out of parking spots. Most of the people I know with SUV never use or shouldn’t use the four wheel drive ability. They use “snow” as an excuse for driving a bus. Meanwhile I would love to buy a hybrid car from more than the few choices currently available. Yes I’d get a small tax break. yes I’d reap the bennies of good mileage. I still would be unable to see over and around all those gas guzzlers.
Posted by jh 2002.07.02, 18:23
“Like a Biggie-fry at Wendy’s” pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it: gimme more, bigger, now!
The really curious thing for me is that at a time when ecological concerns have a fairly large presence in public consciousness (OK, the 80s were perhaps something of a lost decade), these cars - trucks actually, as has been pointed out - are being marketed and bought at a furious rate.
As for hybrids, definitely the way to go. I see quite a few of the Toyota models on the roads here (The Prius) which is great. People are taking them seriously and they seem like excellent city cars. Honda also makes one which is not just a remarkably economical car, it’s sexy as hell; absolutely stunning design.
When I move back to Australia, I’m going to have buy a car (no choice; you can’t really get by without one there, public transportation being what it is - or isn’t, more accurately). I’m torn between something like an old Type III Volkswagen (with a reconditioned engine, of course) or a new hybrid. Hopefully I can swing the latter because the savings in operating costs just seem too good to pass up.
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