Author Topic: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)  (Read 258508 times)

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #80 on: 11/01/2016 12:38 pm »
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#SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo are outside now. If everything looks good and the weather cooperates, today we go for a glide test flight

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/793442737299173376

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #81 on: 11/01/2016 12:42 pm »
New VG blog post:

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November 01, 2016
Update From Mojave: The Next Phase Of Flight Test

In September, VSS Unity took to the skies for the first time. It was a fulfilling and emotional experience for our team—but even more so, it was an opportunity to collect great data. Using our carrier airplane, WhiteKnightTwo VMS Eve, as a ‘flying wind tunnel,’ we captured terabytes of extremely valuable data from a nearly four hour long flight.

After thoroughly analyzing that data and completing other planned work on VSS Unity, we are nearly ready to move into the next phase of flight. The results from September’s test were encouraging enough that the team agreed that no further captive carry flights are needed. The next time VSS Unity takes to the sky, we plan for her to be released from the mothership and to glide home on her own for the first time ever.

This test will be the first of a sequence of glide test flights. These flights will cumulatively allow us to test and prove the performance of the vehicle in a variety of conditions: both heavy (e.g. simulating the full weight of a load of fuel, oxidizer, and people) and light (with empty tanks) and in between, at a variety of flight path angles and airspeeds, and so forth.

This testing of the “corners of the box” is designed to demonstrate how VSS Unity will perform as it returns from space, after the feather system is retracted and the vehicle becomes a glider and lands on the runway like an airplane. In addition, this phase of flight will also demonstrate and test our abort modes – which culminate in a safe glide back to the runway.

Our team of flight test experts has developed a set of requirements for each planned test flight as well as detailing exactly what we need to test in order to be ready to proceed to the next phase of rocket powered flights. We will fly as many flights as we need to in order to achieve all these objectives.

Our first glide flight will be focused on testing the fundamental performance and handling qualities of VSS Unity. For this first test, we will keep the vehicle at a light weight and will place a “speed limit” on the pilots (Mach 0.6). Once we analyze the results from this test, we will be cleared to go faster on subsequent tests.

We’re excited to take this next step on our road to space. In the graphic below, you can see where this milestone puts us on that journey—a lot of hard work behind us and still a lot of important work yet to do.

Please stay tuned to this site and our social media channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn) for more information as our flight testing program progresses. Although we will not livestream the upcoming test flight, we will post information on Twitter in real time.

The Testing Road to Space - Infographic (attached)

http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-the-next-phase-of-flight-test/

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #82 on: 11/01/2016 01:36 pm »
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Virgin Galactic ‏@virgingalactic 54s55 seconds ago

Wheels up! WhiteKnightTwo & VSS Unity are now in the air.  Photos coming soon. #SpaceShipTwo

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/793461347925135360

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #83 on: 11/01/2016 02:15 pm »
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Virgin Galactic ‏@virgingalactic 6m6 minutes ago

Images: VSS Unity and mothership VMS Eve shortly after takeoff this morning. Stay tuned for updates on today's test flight #SpaceShipTwo

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/793468861781729282

Offline Kryten

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #84 on: 11/01/2016 02:57 pm »
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Virgin Galactic‏ @virgingalactic
Crosswinds were high & gusty here in Mojave--which scrubbed the glide portion of today's flight. Still, valuable data gathered

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #85 on: 11/02/2016 04:13 am »
I managed to get a few pictures of the takeoff this morning. It was cold and windy, and the forecast improvement in winds didn't happen, so it isn't surprising they aborted the drop. The weather should be getting better starting tomorrow, so I wouldn't be surprised if they try again this week.
I tried it at home

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #86 on: 11/03/2016 12:55 pm »
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Virgin Galactic ‏@virgingalactic 2m2 minutes ago

Hoping to conduct another #SpaceShipTwo test flight today. Tuesday's flight went very well, but high winds prevented gliding VSS Unity

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/794175695760986112

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #87 on: 11/03/2016 01:41 pm »
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Virgin Galactic ‏@virgingalactic 20m20 minutes ago

Weather looking better today than it did last time around. Currently looking good for flight #SpaceShipTwo

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/794182450117124096

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #88 on: 11/03/2016 01:53 pm »
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Virgin Galactic ‏@virgingalactic 2m2 minutes ago

VSS Unity during pre flight checks. Now taxiing to runway. Will provide real time updates here! #SpaceShipTwo

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/794189819362426881

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #89 on: 11/03/2016 02:11 pm »
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Virgin Galactic ‏@virgingalactic 15m15 minutes ago

Wheels up! WhiteKnightTwo & #SpaceShipTwo are now in the air.  Photos coming soon.

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/794191399985913856

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #90 on: 11/03/2016 02:37 pm »
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Virgin Galactic ‏@virgingalactic 9m9 minutes ago

Today is 3rd ever flight for VSS Unity (216th for WhiteKnightTwo) #SpaceShipTwo

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/794199129157025793

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #91 on: 11/03/2016 02:37 pm »
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Virgin Galactic ‏@virgingalactic 26s26 seconds ago

Mission control reports all is going smoothly. If they elect to go forward with release/glide, that should happen in ~10 mins. #SpaceShipTwo

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/794201577200308226

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #92 on: 11/03/2016 02:55 pm »
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Virgin Galactic ‏@virgingalactic 4m4 minutes ago

We’re excited to glide, but the team wants another look at something, so headed back to land today as mated pair. #SpaceShipTwo

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/794205125803790336

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #93 on: 11/03/2016 03:18 pm »
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Parabolicarc.com ‏@spacecom 1m1 minute ago Mojave, CA

#SpaceShipTwo and momma bird now back on the ground.

https://twitter.com/spacecom/status/794211778980769792

Edit to add:

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Virgin Galactic ‏@virgingalactic 34s34 seconds ago

The mated vehicles have landed for the conclusion of today's mission. We'll be back out again soon! #SpaceShipTwo

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/794212135177859072
« Last Edit: 11/03/2016 03:19 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #94 on: 11/03/2016 03:25 pm »
This Aviation Week article sounds interesting. Clearly a bit of a PR drive on VGs part.

As it's AV you need a subscription to view. Here's all that's visible on the public page:

Quote
Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo Receives Performance Boost
Nov 2, 2016 Guy Norris | Aviation Week & Space Technology

Virgin Galactic test pilots have developed new procedures that significantly improve takeoff and balanced field length performance of the fully laden WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft. The new capability, which in some cases reduces takeoff distance by 40% or more, will give Virgin greater operational flexibility when launching heavy payloads such as the SpaceShipTwo (SS2) suborbital space vehicle for which the WK2 was originally developed. In particular, performance will be improved ...

http://aviationweek.com/new-space/virgin-galactic-s-whiteknighttwo-receives-performance-boost

Offline HMXHMX

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #95 on: 11/03/2016 04:02 pm »
Related to VG since I believe this supplier is the source of their N2O:

http://weartv.com/news/local/osha-investigating-deadly-plant-explosion

In case any of us needed reminding that it’s best to be safe out there around nitrous…



Offline LouScheffer

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #96 on: 11/03/2016 06:56 pm »
This Aviation Week article sounds interesting. Clearly a bit of a PR drive on VGs part.

As it's AV you need a subscription to view. Here's all that's visible on the public page:

Quote
Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo Receives Performance Boost
Nov 2, 2016 Guy Norris | Aviation Week & Space Technology

Virgin Galactic test pilots have developed new procedures that significantly improve takeoff and balanced field length performance of the fully laden WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft. The new capability, which in some cases reduces takeoff distance by 40% or more, will give Virgin greater operational flexibility when launching heavy payloads such as the SpaceShipTwo (SS2) suborbital space vehicle for which the WK2 was originally developed. In particular, performance will be improved ...

http://aviationweek.com/new-space/virgin-galactic-s-whiteknighttwo-receives-performance-boost
One of the main improvements was upgrading to physically stronger pilots.  The limiting factor on takeoff trust was the torque induced if an engine failed.  To counter this you need (strong) rudder input.  By upgrading the pilot to be able to stomp on the pedal with 225 pounds-force (weight of 102 kg person) instead of a mere 150 pounds-force (weight of a 68 kg person), they were able to use a much larger thrust.   This was a surprise to me - I thought these major strength requirements went out about WW-II.

Offline bluemars1

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #97 on: 12/01/2016 03:00 pm »
Virgin Galactic completed another captive carry test of SpaceShipTwo yesterday (after they "made a few tweaks to the vehicle"):


https://twitter.com/virgingalactic




Offline HMXHMX

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #98 on: 12/01/2016 04:08 pm »
This Aviation Week article sounds interesting. Clearly a bit of a PR drive on VGs part.

As it's AV you need a subscription to view. Here's all that's visible on the public page:

Quote
Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo Receives Performance Boost
Nov 2, 2016 Guy Norris | Aviation Week & Space Technology

Virgin Galactic test pilots have developed new procedures that significantly improve takeoff and balanced field length performance of the fully laden WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft. The new capability, which in some cases reduces takeoff distance by 40% or more, will give Virgin greater operational flexibility when launching heavy payloads such as the SpaceShipTwo (SS2) suborbital space vehicle for which the WK2 was originally developed. In particular, performance will be improved ...

http://aviationweek.com/new-space/virgin-galactic-s-whiteknighttwo-receives-performance-boost
One of the main improvements was upgrading to physically stronger pilots.  The limiting factor on takeoff trust was the torque induced if an engine failed.  To counter this you need (strong) rudder input.  By upgrading the pilot to be able to stomp on the pedal with 225 pounds-force (weight of 102 kg person) instead of a mere 150 pounds-force (weight of a 68 kg person), they were able to use a much larger thrust.   This was a surprise to me - I thought these major strength requirements went out about WW-II.

This is a hold-over from Burt's design philosophy, which eschews boosted controls and their associated hydraulic system complexity.  Of course, in the past most of his designs have operated at Qs low enough and with rate requirements small enough to let him get away with this.  I do recall him discussing this point with me during the formative years of SSO, and he was proud to have found a low Q trajectory that made it possible to forgo boosted controls on the spaceplane.  It's a bit ironic that White Knight has become the limiting factor.

Offline JAFO

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #99 on: 12/02/2016 02:12 am »
This Aviation Week article sounds interesting. Clearly a bit of a PR drive on VGs part.

As it's AV you need a subscription to view. Here's all that's visible on the public page:

Quote
Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo Receives Performance Boost
Nov 2, 2016 Guy Norris | Aviation Week & Space Technology

Virgin Galactic test pilots have developed new procedures that significantly improve takeoff and balanced field length performance of the fully laden WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft. The new capability, which in some cases reduces takeoff distance by 40% or more, will give Virgin greater operational flexibility when launching heavy payloads such as the SpaceShipTwo (SS2) suborbital space vehicle for which the WK2 was originally developed. In particular, performance will be improved ...

http://aviationweek.com/new-space/virgin-galactic-s-whiteknighttwo-receives-performance-boost
One of the main improvements was upgrading to physically stronger pilots.  The limiting factor on takeoff trust was the torque induced if an engine failed.  To counter this you need (strong) rudder input.  By upgrading the pilot to be able to stomp on the pedal with 225 pounds-force (weight of 102 kg person) instead of a mere 150 pounds-force (weight of a 68 kg person), they were able to use a much larger thrust.   This was a surprise to me - I thought these major strength requirements went out about WW-II.

I wish. It was one of the main arguments used against hiring women pilots for the airlines in the 1970s until they proved they had the leg strength to be able to do a V1 cut. When I had my knee opened up in 2005 one of the major limitations on my recovery was being able to put in and hold rudder against a failed engine until we were at an altitude where I could engage the autopilot, at which point some IPs would then fail the autopilot and make me fly the entire maneuver up to landing and rollout manually, which could happen in real life and was a fair test.

Interestingly, the new FBW airplanes I've flown (777-200, 787-8/9) have a system that puts in 85% of the rudder needed to counter the yaw as a result of an engine failure, instead of a huge leg motion like in a 73, a V1 cut in a 77/78 barely requires an ankle flex to keep the aircraft going straight down the runway. The system IS capable of adding all the rudder needed, but pilots were getting confused about which engine had failed (or did not even realize one had!) so I'm told Boeing derated the system by 15% to give the necessary feedback to the pilot.

At least in the sim. *knocks wood* So far I've never had a complete engine failure in real life.
« Last Edit: 12/02/2016 02:26 am by JAFO »
Anyone can do the job when things are going right. In this business we play for keeps.
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