Author Topic: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)  (Read 258483 times)

Offline Olaf

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #180 on: 05/01/2017 05:38 pm »
https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/859098061007605761
Quote
VSS Unity has just been released from WhiteKnightTwo to glide home. 4th glide flight test for #SpaceShipTwo

Offline Olaf

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #181 on: 05/01/2017 05:43 pm »
https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/859100362376069120
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Smooth landing for VSS Unity. In #SpaceShipTwo: pilots Mark Stucky and Mike Masucci.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #182 on: 05/01/2017 06:46 pm »
Here's a key part of today's test:

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The pilots have begun their test of the ‘feather’ re-entry system. The vehicle is in the feathered configuration now. #SpaceShipTwo

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/859098207959134208

Edit to add:

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Exciting to have 1st feathered flight of VSS Unity in the books now. Gathered lots of great data to complement ground testing. #SpaceShipTwo

https://twitter.com/thespaceshipco/status/859100546216611846
« Last Edit: 05/01/2017 06:48 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #183 on: 05/01/2017 08:05 pm »
Quote
Image from today: VSS Unity in the air after a successful in-flight test of the 'feather' re-entry system. More images coming soon.

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/859122531529248768

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #184 on: 05/01/2017 08:15 pm »
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Image from today VSS Unity flies in the feather configuration, testing out the vehicle’s re-entry system. Read More: http://virg.in/1feather

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/859138871237287937

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May 01, 2017
Update From Mojave: First Feather Flight Of VSS Unity Completed

As noted in our previous post, we’d learned enough from our past test flights to safely take the next step forward in our thorough test flight program. That step happened on a successful test flight conducted this morning from the Mojave Air and Space Port, during which we tested VSS Unity’s ‘feather’ re-entry system in flight for the first time.

Virgin Spaceship Unity flies freely after being released from Virgin Mothership Eve on 1 May 2017. During this test, the feather re-entry system was activated in flight for the first time.

This test follows after extensive testing of the feather system on the ground.

Full analysis of the data from today’s flight will, as always, take time; but initial reports from the pilots and from mission control are extremely encouraging.

VSS Unity was piloted today by Mark Stucky and Mike Masucci, with pilots Nicola Pecile and CJ Sturckow as well as flight test engineer Dustin Mosher in WhiteKnightTwo. Today’s test flight was the fourth glide flight (and eight flight overall) of VSS Unity, and the 227th flight of WhiteKnightTwo VMS Eve.VSS Unity glides home after her first feather flight on 1st May 2017

Once data reviews are complete, we will move forward with our testing program—pressing onward with additional glide flights designed to expand our envelope of flight weights and centers of gravity. 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.
« Last Edit: 05/01/2017 08:17 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline catdlr

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #185 on: 05/02/2017 04:41 am »
Elevating Unity - Episode 3: First Feather

Virgin Galactic

Published on May 1, 2017
On May 1st, 2017 VSS Unity "feather" re-entry system was activated in flight for the first time.

VSS Unity was piloted by Mark Stucky and Mike Masucci, with pilots Nicola Pecile and CJ Sturckow as well as flight test engineer Dustin Mosher in carrier aircraft VMS Eve. This test flight was the fourth glide flight (and eighth flight overall) of VSS Unity.

VSS Unity Project Engineer, Gabe Williams, describes the vehicle's unique feathering re-entry system.



Tony De La Rosa, ...I'm no Feline Dealer!! I move mountains.  but I'm better known for "I think it's highly sexual." Japanese to English Translation.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #186 on: 05/09/2017 04:29 pm »
Some interesting details on SS2 work:

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Ever wondered how to build a spaceship? James Flynn, avionics engineering manager at The Spaceship Company, explains some of the technology that is going into Virgin Galactic’s spaceships…

https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/technology-and-teamwork-behind-vss-unity

« Last Edit: 05/09/2017 04:47 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #187 on: 05/19/2017 03:16 pm »
Some intersting quotes from VG's Stephen Attenborough:

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2017/05/19/virgin-galactcs-attenborough-promises-greater-safety-spaceshiptwo/

based on a talk in Australia (report here but behind paywall).

Apparantly VG have sold 650 tickets, which is down from the 'nearly 700' they claimed a few years ago. Clearly the delays and accident have had an impact. Also interesting that if you bought a ticket now you'd fly around 2021. I'm sure VG used to talk about flying more people in their first year of operation than had every flown to space before (so over 500 in first year). Sounds to me like they're working on a lower flight rate now? Once a week maybe?

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #188 on: 06/01/2017 04:36 pm »
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Greetings from Mojave Air and Space Port! Our team is prepping for a #SpaceShipTwo flight test today

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/870316932511277056

Offline craigcocca

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #189 on: 06/01/2017 05:11 pm »
Virgin Galactic‏Verified account @virgingalactic  15m15 minutes ago

 Take off! Today is 9th flight for VSS Unity #SpaceShipTwo, 230th for #WhiteKnightTwo.
-- Craig

"Why don't you fix your little problem and light this candle..."

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #190 on: 06/01/2017 05:51 pm »
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Today #SpaceShipTwo is loaded with water ballast to shift the center of gravity rearward to replicate rocket-powered flight!

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/870318833441091584

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #191 on: 06/01/2017 05:56 pm »
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VSS Unity has just been released from WhiteKnightTwo to glide home. 5th glide flight test for #SpaceShipTwo

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/870334563737882624

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #192 on: 06/01/2017 05:57 pm »
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As planned, our pilots have dumped the water ballast. #SpaceShipTwo

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/870335145248780288

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #193 on: 06/01/2017 05:59 pm »
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Another smooth landing for VSS Unity. In #SpaceShipTwo: pilots Dave Mackay and CJ Sturckow

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/870337306791747586

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #194 on: 06/01/2017 06:48 pm »
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WhiteKnightTwo has landed, completing today’s test. Crew today were pilots Kelly Latimer & Michael Masucci, flight test engr Colin Bennett

https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/870350607424598016

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #195 on: 06/01/2017 06:52 pm »
Quote
June 01, 2017
Update From Mojave: VSS Unity Loads Up For Latest Flight

VG04

Whatever might be said about Mojave – it is rarely a dull place!

Hot on the heels of yesterday’s exciting first appearance of the huge carrier aircraft from our Mojave neighbors Stratolaunch, our own vehicles took to the skies this morning for VSS Unity’s ninth test flight.

It was exactly a month ago that our spaceship last flew, successfully demonstrating its unique re-entry “feathering” mechanism for the first time in flight.

Today, VSS Unity pilots Dave Mackay and CJ Sturckow, had an equally busy test-card, but with the emphasis on proving the spaceship’s handling qualities, particularly at low speeds, with more weight on board than previously, and with a centre of gravity shifted towards the back of the vehicle.

This was achieved by loading around 1000lbs of water into a specially installed ballast tank in the rear of the spaceship’s fuselage. That enabled us to explore the flight conditions we will experience during rocket powered flights. By jettisoning the water ballast on descent, we were also able to confirm handling characteristics as the vehicle’s centre of gravity moved forward. Unity completed the flight with a safe and smooth landing in its lighter-weight configuration.

Today’s events represent another important milestone as we move towards the end of the of the initial glide test portion of the program and turn our attention to the spaceship’s propulsion system. To that end, as we analyse the data from today’s flight, we will be moving into a period of ground-based activity focussed on preparation for fuelled and then powered flights. As always, meticulous preparation and a focus on safety will determine next steps and timelines, but we expect to be back in the air in the not too distant future.

http://www.virgingalactic.com/update-from-mojave-vss-unity-loads-up-for-latest-flight/

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #196 on: 06/03/2017 03:26 pm »
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Sirisha Bandla of Virgin Galactic discussing the use of SpaceShipTwo for microgravity research. #DPSS17
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/871014871726399488

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Virgin sticking to plans to remove five seats for payload racks on µg research flights, leaving one seat for a payload specialist. #DPSS17
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/871015567645261825

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Bandla: primarily working with NASA’s Flight Opportunities program for research flights. Those will be going “above 80 km.” #DPSS17
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/871017245735923712

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Bandla: there will be opportunities to fly research payloads while still in the SS2 flight test program, before flying tourists. #DPSS17
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/871018377526919168

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #197 on: 06/10/2017 02:56 pm »
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RICHARD BRANSON SAYS VIRGIN GALACTIC SHOULD BE IN SPACE BY DECEMBER

A preview of our full interview with Richard Branson, available in the current issue of British GQ

STORY BY CHARLIE BURTON
TUESDAY 6 JUNE 2017

http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/virgin-galactic-richard-branson

From the preview:

Quote
On when he hopes to go to space
"I certainly would be very disappointed if I don't go up next year. And I would hope it's earlier than later in the year," he says. "The programme says that we should be [testing] in space by December, as long as we don't have any setbacks between now and then."

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #198 on: 06/12/2017 07:24 pm »
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'The benefits of having a spaceship in your office' blog post by @TheSpaceshipCo Stephen King via @gtwhitesides https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/benefits-having-spaceship-your-office

https://twitter.com/ac_charania/status/874339486611587072

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Re: Space Ship Two - General Thread (3)
« Reply #199 on: 06/13/2017 11:58 am »
In the first photo above it looks like they have started a building a second space craft. I see a frame holding a shell that looks like part of the passenger cabin and to the left of the frame the white covered item looks to be the other half.

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