Re: XCOR - In the news

I think Randall has a point.  XCOR has been scrupulous about controlling 
expectations and not overpromising.  They've done a good job of 
producing real hardware, rather than hype.  They didn't announce 
anything about the EZ-Rocket until they couldn't avoid publicity (static 
firings).

My company (Vela Technology Development) got pushed into marketing 
before we had hardware by our investors.  We looked good in the press, 
at first, but when it became obvious that there was no real hardware we 
faded, and so did the chance of attracting funding.

Because of the regulatory oversight and the requirement to post notice 
of a record attempt (in order to be recognised by the FAI and other 
record-keepers), XCOR couldn't avoid announcing this one.  Enthusiasm is 
always appreciated, but we need to be cautious about raising 
expectations.  There is still a strong contingent in the press and Govt. 
circles who are praying for this community to have a spectacular 
accident - the press because calamity sells, and the Govt. to have 
reason to regulate us out of existence.

Pat Kelley

Rick Eversole wrote:

>You forget ... I am in sales ... Marketing announcing 1.0 will be
>released this year means I now sell 1.1 before the end of the year....
>Congrats was for the good press ... you only have to look good...
>
>On Sat, 2005-11-12 at 21:03 -0800, Randall Clague wrote:
>  
>
>>At 09:48 AM 11/12/2005 -0800, Rick Eversole wrote:
>>
>>    
>>
>>>Congrats !!!
>>>
>>>http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20051111/sc_space/xcorrocketplaneeyespointtopointrecord
>>>      
>>>
>>But we didn't do anything yet.
>>
>>-R
>>
>>--
>>"Give me half an hour in an observatory with
>>anyone and I will introduce them to wonders
>>they will think about for the rest of their lives."
>>   -- Bill Whittle, Southern Cross Observatory
>>
>>
>>    
>>
>
>_______________________________________________
>ERPS-list mailing list
>[email protected]
>http://lists.erps.org/mailman/listinfo/erps-list
>
>  
>