The 1st Rocket Racer was powered by X-Cor, and was an on/off rocket (pulse) situation. The 2nd Rocket Racer is now powered by Armadillo Aerospace (TX) and I hear will have 50%-75%-100%-OFF power settings. The Airframe is actually built from the Velocity Aircraft Co. in Sebastian, FL and will have modifications to include a wider airframe, plexiglass canopy, retractable gear and only one seat....developing into a racer rather than a proof of concept aircraft. The power is around 2500 lbs of thrust from the Armadillo Aerospace powerplant...which takes Liquid Oxygen and Ethanol and mixes it in a chamber for fuel. The interesting point is there are no pumps for this fuel....it is pressured by Helium to boost the fuel through the system. I believe the racer will be at Oshkosh and Reno Air Races this year. I believe there was a Press Release a few months ago stating there were to be 24 of the Racers produced.
Wow - So the newer version will have 1000 lbs more thrust than the first - more speed but I imagine more fuel burn. Wouldn't you rather use kerosene for the more visible plume? I think ethanol flames may be harder to see. I imagine the original Velocity airframe had to really get beefed up!
Salt pellets are injected into the exhaust to show plume....and can create different colors. ...red, white, or green plume from what I have heard, and depends upon the team colors or request. Yes....a lot of modifications are taking place at Velocity Aircraft in support of the Rocket Racer. I try to get updates weekly on the progress....love pushing onto a new frontier
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