Comments on: Under Construction: SpaceShipTwo, on Course for 2009 Testflight (Pictures)

By: Rusty

Rusty — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:03:44 +0000

As I recall from listening to Burt's talk at Oshkosh a few years back, they expected a crash in the feathered condition to likely be survivable in SS1, anyway. Memory could be wrong, but it had to do with the terminal velocity on the feathered condition and the shock absorbing qualities of the landing gear and composite structure. Wouldn't be much fun, and you wouldn't "walk away", but I believe they thought it would be survivable at least. The mechanism itself was fairly simple and reliable, and I would assume they are largely just scaling it up.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:01:35 +0000

What happens if one of the wings fails to come out of feather for the landing? Seems a bit dangerous.

By: alphonso richardson

alphonso richardson — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:47:02 +0000

As long as it's not full of drunken chavs, as happens every time I go abroad, I'd love to try it

By: Silver Thread

Silver Thread — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:07:33 +0000

Ross, thank you for pointing that out. I had wondered about the accuracy of calling, what is essentially a dramatic parabolic arc into the upper atmosphere, a Low Earth Orbit.

I think that what we're seeing are the baby Steps in space flight, comparable to the "Flight' of the Wright Brothers, which by today's standards is not anything remarkable but took place only a little over a century ago.

By: Joe Space Tourist

Joe Space Tourist — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:32:56 +0000

It's exciting to see some new pictures of what will likely be the first dedicated tourist spacecraft. I cannot wait to see this thing launched!

By: Ross W Sargent

Ross W Sargent — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:17:02 +0000

"the company was designing a smaller, cheaper, economy-class space plane, designed to take two people into low-Earth orbit (note: lower Earth orbit than Virgin Galactic's design)"

Neither of these vehicles are going into low Earth orbit. – a sub-orbital lob, maybe, but not orbit.

By: Marq

Marq — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:25:02 +0000

I agree with Quasidog, If I had a couple a hundred grand I'd happily die after a trip like that crazy as it sounds. This should all have happened such a long time ago. Branson is a hero for single handedly making this happen. Rutan's reentry method is genius! Words fail me *tears* ha ha..

By: quasidog

quasidog — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:29:27 +0000

I hope this works out well and they produce more and reduce costs over time. If I could justride in one once before I die I would be fulfilling a life dream.

By: Mr. LAME

Mr. LAME — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:11:43 +0000

awwwww

By: owen

owen — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:59:54 +0000

sounds good!