🚀 go-pugleaf

In sci.space.policy, on 03 Oct 2004 15:18:33 GMT, Ian Stirling 
<root@mauve.demon.co.uk> sez:
` In sci.space.policy Scott Lowther <scottlowther@ix.netcomspamblok.com> wrote:
` > 
` > 
` > Ian Stirling wrote:
` > 
` >> In sci.space.policy Brian Raab <kaisers_sun@yahoo.com> wrote:
` >> 
` >> And to take this thread in an unexpected right angle...
` >> 
` >> Could the V2 win the X-prize?
` > 
` > 
` > The Canadian Arrow team is hoping to prove just that. Their design *is* 
` > a V-2.

` Hmm, thanks have to have a look.
` > 
` > 
` >> AIUI, the payload bay is (barely) large enough for three good friends.
` > 
` > 
` > I've got a photocopy of a wartime sketch by WvB showing jsut that. What 
` > the purpose of cramming 3 people in a V-2 for was not well explained.

` I suppose a case could be made for a way to rapidly insert agents deep into
` defended territory.

At this point, a mention of Thomas Pynchon's "Gravity's Rainbow" should
be made. (The title refers to the parabolic arc of a V-2). One of
the subplots of the impenetrable (satire? black comedy? novel as
catharsis therapy?) story was an officer in the V2 project planning
to launch a manned vehicle - there was no consideration given to
even attempting a soft landing. Fair warning: not particularly
recommended reading unless you don't mind severely bent and
disturbing images taking up residence in your head. The two
or three utterly hysterically funny scenes don't quite make up
for that, in my estimation.


-- 
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    vincent@triumf[munge].ca                            Pete Vincent
        Disclaimer: all I know I learned from reading Usenet.