LOHAN is GO! Reg spaceplane BLASTS OFF on 14 September

We're absolutely delighted to announce that our Low Orbit Helium Assisted Navigator (LOHAN) spaceplane mission is cleared for blastoff on 14 September. Click here for a bigger version of the LOHAN graphic Yes indeed, ballocket fans, the time is almost nigh to dispatch the Vulture 2 heavenwards towards its date with …

[imanidiot]

So basically everything?

Judging from that list you still have a HECK of a lot of work to do. From experience as an engineer I can tell you with certainty most of the time needed for a design is in those lost few little details. Where to place servos, which servos to use, which other electronics, where to place the CG, etc, etc, etc.

Not to imply you guys have been slacking off, far from it. I'm just hoping you haven't underestimated time needed for those "last few details".

BTW, will the visual tracking/telescope expert (Whom I can't be bothered to find the name of right now) who couldn't make it to the PARIS launch join your venture on the 14th of september?

Beer, because we all know you'll be needing it :)

[Lester Haines]

Re: So basically everything?

We do have a heck of a lot of work to do. Alejandro is the telescope chap. We'll see if he's available...

[Martin Budden]

Re: So basically everything?

The first 90% of a project uses 90% of the schedule, and the remaining 10% of the project uses the other 90% of the schedule.

I'd also like to refer you to Hofstadter's Law.

Beer!

[Sorry that handle is already taken.]

Ooh

We in the antipodes get to elect a new government on 14 September.

Here's hoping your day is more exciting and satisfying than ours.

[Lester Haines]

Re: Ooh

I suspect it'll be equally explosive.

[Martin Budden]

Re: Ooh

I suspect the LOHAN launch will have far more suspense, and the ending won't be as much of a let-down.

[Anonymous Coward]

Recruit new Playmonaut

Paul Daniels hasn't been on tele for a while maybe you could ask him, failing that, how about Bernie Ecclestone.

If any of us has a suitable candidate how can we put them forward? There's a competition in there somwhere or at least a Friday "vote for".

[Blofeld's Cat]

Re: Recruit new Playmonaut

I suspect it would be considerably cheaper (total cost about two pints) to "recruit" another actual Playmonaut.

No doubt the SPB boffins will have already factored in the cost of decontaminating a crash site, in the unlikely event of something going wrong.

Nobody wants another "Palomares incident" and the cost of tracking down and removing a geologically-inconvenienced "celeb" could be substantial.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Recruit new Playmonaut

>"recruit" another actual Playmonaut.

But where's the fun in that?

>cost of tracking down and removing a geologically-inconvenienced "celeb"

Surely you can think of a celeb or even non-celeb that you wouldn't mind misplacing and not care about finding again, so no cost. Better that than another valiant Playmonaut bites the dust.

[Dave Bell]

Re: Recruit new Playmonaut

I assume there are some limits on maximum weight and dimensions.

Since we're printing the 'plane, perhaps we should seek to print the Playmonaut?

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Recruit new Playmonaut

Can I put Eadon's name forward?

[Lester Haines]

Re: Re: Recruit new Playmonaut

If he weighs 10 grammes or less, you can

[Mr Larrington]

Bah!

I'll be on my holibobs in USAnia and so will probably forget all about it it :-(

[Elmer Phud]

I eagerly await the VUltureLohanVehicleAssembly

[Steve the Cynic]

We have reached the future...

"Print aircraft"

Enough said. We have reached the future, and it is cool.

[Chairo]

Why not use Hydrogen?

It would still fit to the acronym and there would be so much more pull at lower cost.

Also there is the thrill factor... Or is it forbidden to launch potential explosives with a rocket engine strapped on?

Eagerly awaiting the countdown!

[imanidiot]

Re: Why not use Hydrogen?

You might have missed it, but they are infact planning on using Hydrogen.

[JoshOvki]

Re: Why not use Hydrogen?

"lifted by a substantial helium-filled orb"

"•Buy rocket motors, balloons, helium, beer, and so forth"

Sounds like helium and not hydrogen to me.

[Lester Haines]

Re: Re: Why not use Hydrogen?

Actually, we've been using hydrogen for SPEARS, since it's Dave Akerman's lifting gas of choice. The jury's still out on the gas for the big event, but I favour helium.

[Neil Barnes]

Re: Why not use Hydrogen?

Hydrogen for the lift; helium to give the launch team funny voices.

Or possibly Lester has a secret letch for Dejah Thoris...

[Lester Haines]

Re: Re: Why not use Hydrogen?

The princess of Helium is indeed my kind of girl.

[Parax]

Re: but I favour helium.

Obviously, Flush for cash these days. and has no care for diminishing He stocks, chuck another peasant pedant on the bonfire, it's getting nippy.

[Mostly_Harmless]

Excellent news

Good luck with the preaparations

[Vladimir Plouzhnikov]

Wow

The space port launch complex must be really busy, what, with you having to book slots 4 months in advance...

[Harvey Trowell]

Did you just put the mockers on LOHAN?

That last sentence is asking for launchpad "performance issues".

[Lester Haines]

Re: Did you just put the mockers on LOHAN?

We'll be fine. What could possibly go wrong with such a simple mission?

[jubtastic1]

Re: Re: Did you just put the mockers on LOHAN?

That put a big grin on my face, love the attitute, break a leg chaps.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Did you just put the mockers on LOHAN?

If the launchpad does have problems come Sept. 14, may I suggest the following subtitle on the bad news?

"Launch team unable to get it up for LOHAN"

OK, I'm outta here!!

P.S.--Make sure the new Playmonaut is wearing a tiny life preserver....

[Anonymous Coward]

HUZZAH!

*cue the Bombardier Beer ad here*

This is exciting news... can't wait to see how it pans out :-)

[Someone Else]

Good Luck, mates!

<---

Go, Go, Go, GO!!

[C. P. Cosgrove]

Good luck !

I'll raise a glass to your proposals. That's an ambitious schedule of work for a high tech garden shed operation !

All the best, and here's to the health of the second playmonaut.

Chris Cosgrove

[Ironclad]

Looking good...

..to my untrained eyes. Very best of luck.