N-Prize

[EpicRootHairCell]

I know its been up for along time but i just discovered this

http://www.n-prize.com/

It sounds so kerbal, so awsome and very difficult. I love it.

Do you think it will every be done and if so how?

[rtxoff]

Does not sound that hard, maybe bring a small 1 stage rocket + payload as high as possible with a baloon and launch then from there.

[EpicRootHairCell]

Only it takes about 9.5 Km/s to reach LEO, with a roockoon you might get that down to 8 Km/s if your lucky still a hell of a lot especially on £999.

[Tex]

I love the idea, but the website is extremely put-offy. I just hate the way they present the information: you get a "pitifully small cash prize", it's "very nearly impossible"... It's almost like they want to discourage you despite coming up with the contest XD

[ecat]

I love the idea, but the website is extremely put-offy. I just hate the way they present the information: you get a "pitifully small cash prize", it's "very nearly impossible"... It's almost like they want to discourage you despite coming up with the contest XD

My first though upon reading those words: It sounds very British.

Checked the web site and sure enough the contact details are Cambridge, UK.

If the above comment makes no sense to the reader I suggest a course of intensive exposure to Monty Python, Top Gear (the UK version), The Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy (not the American movie) and some, well, quite a lot really, Terry Prattchit. Pip-pip old chap, that should be simply splendid

Edited May 27, 2014 by ecat

[Dkmdlb]

Having spent a few years in the UK, I can confirm that nearly everything the British do is for the sole purpose of confusing foreigners. Everything makes a lot more sense when you finally recognize this.

[Red Iron Crown]

The site is down for me, can anyone give a quick synopsis?

[ecat]

The site is down for me, can anyone give a quick synopsis?

This archive link is a little slow but gets there eventually

https://web.archive.org/web/20140517182932/http://n-prize.com/

[mellojoe]

Challenge:

Can you send a small (10-20g) payload into orbit for less than 1000GBP ($1700 USD)?

Solution:

Run to Hobby Lobby and buy all the model rocket kits during a 75% off sale. HA HA! BET NOBODY THOUGHT OF THAT YET, HUH? TAKE THAT

[Whirligig Girl]

"The satellite must be a single object; for example, a cloud of un-connected co-orbiting particles does not count."

In other words, no exploding.

[Skyler4856]

"The satellite must be a single object; for example, a cloud of un-connected co-orbiting particles does not count."

In other words, no exploding.

Speaking of Explosions, I wonder how hard an Orion system would be to get to operate.

[bs1110101]

Speaking of Explosions, I wonder how hard an Orion system would be to get to operate.

Depends, how many times does it have to? Because a g hardened computer could likely work with only a few shots, maybe even just one that puts it in orbit from a sub orbital rocket. I'd put the bomb on the front of the rocket and a very small hardened probe on the back, hanging off a fin or something. Maybe have a whole bunch with the hopes one of them isn't blown up/pinged off fast enough it brakes/sent back into the planet/not made to go fast enough.

[combat squirrel]

Im up for the challenge, I read some really old nasa designs for the smallest possible spacecraft that could achieve orbit, I think it was only about 3-4metres tall and about a metre wide, its payload was in the region of the n prize, I will dig around.

[Red Iron Crown]

I'm thinking an air launch from a private plane would be the way to go.

[Nibb31]

I'm thinking an air launch from a private plane would be the way to go.

What sort of plane? You can't even fill up a commercial airliner for $1000.

[Red Iron Crown]

Nothing so large as that. A light piston plane could get it up high enough to save significantly on rocket fuel, I think.

However, on reading the rules more closely, the cost of the plane itself would have to be included, making that a no-go.

[Nibb31]

Nothing so large as that. A light piston plane could get it up high enough to save significantly on rocket fuel, I think.

No way. A few thousand feet won't make a difference in the dV needed to reach orbit.

[Red Iron Crown]

No way. A few thousand feet won't make a difference in the dV needed to reach orbit.

I was thinking 10-15 thousand feet (in the realm of possibility for light planes, I think) with a few hundred km/h of speed, but maybe you're right. It would need to be a jet at high altitude/speed to make much of a difference.

[Dkmdlb]

Yeah. 9.5km/s to get to orbit, at an altitude of a few hundred km. starting from 5km and 100 m/s isn't going to help that much.

[WestAir]

Yeah. 9.5km/s to get to orbit, at an altitude of a few hundred km. starting from 5km and 100 m/s isn't going to help that much.

Except you're starting from an altitude where the air is extremely thinner. It's been a few months since I've read up on aeronautical health factors and altitude, but I believe the air is already 50% thinner at 18,000 feet. That's a lot less resistance to burn through if my memory hasn't failed me again.

[Skyler4856]

Depends, how many times does it have to? Because a g hardened computer could likely work with only a few shots, maybe even just one that puts it in orbit from a sub orbital rocket. I'd put the bomb on the front of the rocket and a very small hardened probe on the back, hanging off a fin or something. Maybe have a whole bunch with the hopes one of them isn't blown up/pinged off fast enough it brakes/sent back into the planet/not made to go fast enough.

Yeah, it would have to utilize conventional bombs