Rocket Racing League(R) Completes Successful Flight Test Campaign at Oklahoma Spaceport

The Bridenstine DKNY Rocket Racer vehicle, now equipped with liquid oxygen (LOX)-alcohol engines manufactured by Armadillo Aerospace, a leading developer of reusable rocket powered vehicles based inMesquite, Texas, underwent an aggressive flight test campaign designed to validate static and dynamic airframe and engine stability throughout its entire operating envelope.

"The successful conclusion of this flight test campaign marks two important milestones for the League, allowing us to proceed on our planned schedule of exhibition race events throughout the remainder of 2008 and 2009 and also validating our rapid prototyping capability in bringing new and innovative rocket powered vehicles from concept to flight inside of a six month development period," said Granger Whitelaw, Rocket Racing League Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

"We are thrilled to have been selected as the facility of choice by the Rocket Racing League for its initial flight test program," said Bill Khourie, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA). "The Oklahoma Spaceport provided the League with a qualified facility including a runway of almost three miles in length, hangar facilities, safety officials, air traffic control, and other support staff and housing. It was a major milestone in our evolution as we played an instrumental role in the incredibly successful flights of the Rocket Racer to altitudes in excess of 12,000 feet."

"The Oklahoma Spaceport and its staff have proven to be a highly valuable asset to the Rocket Racing League," said Michael D'Angelo, Rocket Racing League Chief Technology Officer. "We've made great progress in rapidly moving from static engine tests, to powered taxis, and now, through collaboration with OKSP, we've successfully completed our R&D up-and-away flights of the Bridenstine DKNY Rocket Racer."

Videos and photographs of the Rocket Racer test flights are available for download and viewing at the following FTP site:

    Domain: rocketracingleague.ipower.com
    Username: press_ftp
    Password: pressmaterials

    NOTE: You will need an FTP Client Program to access site

For more information or to find a schedule of future Rocket Racing League events, visit www.RocketRacingLeague.com.

About The Rocket Racing League(R)

Founded in 2005 by two-timeIndianapolis 500 winning team partner Granger Whitelaw and X PRIZE Chairman and CEO Peter H. Diamandis, MD, the Rocket Racing League(R) (RRL(TM)) is a new entertainment sports league that combines the exhilaration of racing with the power of rocket engines. To be held at venues across the country, the Rocket Racing League will feature multiple races pitting up to 10 Rocket Racers going head to head in a 4-lap, multiple elimination heat format on a 5-mile "Formula One"-like closed circuit raceway in the sky. For more information on the Rocket Racing League, please visit www.rocketracingleague.com.

About The Oklahoma Spaceport

Specializing in air-launch / horizontal landing and horizontal take-off and landing of Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs) this launch site became the first U.S. inland spaceport with an established flight corridor for space operations in the national airspace system clear of military operating areas or restricted airspace. This arrangement means that space vehicles will not need military permission to operate because the spaceport will have its own airspace making the Oklahoma Spaceport ideal for the development of rocket powered vehicles.

    Media Contact

    John McCartney
    Attention! for Rocket Racing League
    (212) 201-7893
    john_mccartney@attentionusa.com

SOURCE The Rocket Racing League

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