Skycycle X-2
Encyclopedia
Skycycle X-2 was a steam-powered rocket
. An earlier prototype, the Skycycle X-1 designed by Doug Malewicki, and former USN engineer Robert Truax
superficially resembled a motorcycle. The Skycycle X-2 was designed by Bob Truax, and ridden by Evel Knievel
in his attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon
near Twin Falls, Idaho
on September 8, 1974. The parachute deployed during the launch, causing the stunt to fail. A later analysis showed a design flaw, in a mechanical parachute retention cover, which didn't properly take into account base drag, caused the premature parachute deployment, though Truax blamed Knievel for the failure and vice versa. Later Truax accepted full responsibility for the failure. In 2007 a Skycycle X-2 was offered for sale for $5,000,000.
Rocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
. An earlier prototype, the Skycycle X-1 designed by Doug Malewicki, and former USN engineer Robert Truax
Robert Truax
Captain Robert C. Truax was a rocket engineer in the United States Navy, and companies such as Aerojet and Truax Engineering, which he founded...
superficially resembled a motorcycle. The Skycycle X-2 was designed by Bob Truax, and ridden by Evel Knievel
Evel Knievel
Evel Knievel , born Robert Craig Knievel, was an American daredevil and entertainer. In his career he attempted over 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps between 1965 and 1980, and in 1974, a failed jump across Snake River Canyon in the Skycycle X-2, a steam-powered rocket...
in his attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon
Snake River Canyon (Idaho)
Snake River Canyon is a large canyon formed by the Snake River in the Magic Valley region of southern Idaho. It is well known as the site of an unsuccessful 1974 attempt by Evel Knievel to jump it in the Skycycle X-2....
near Twin Falls, Idaho
Twin Falls, Idaho
Twin Falls is the county seat and largest city of Twin Falls County, Idaho, United States. The population was 44,125 at the 2010 censusTwin Falls is the largest city of Idaho's Magic Valley region...
on September 8, 1974. The parachute deployed during the launch, causing the stunt to fail. A later analysis showed a design flaw, in a mechanical parachute retention cover, which didn't properly take into account base drag, caused the premature parachute deployment, though Truax blamed Knievel for the failure and vice versa. Later Truax accepted full responsibility for the failure. In 2007 a Skycycle X-2 was offered for sale for $5,000,000.