George Whitesides, Virgin Galactic: will be finishing up facilities at Spaceport America in 2018. Most done now; working now on “customer-facing” elements. #NSRC2017
Whitesides: making “good progress” on flight test program for SpaceShipTwo. Glide test program (which started just over a year ago) has gone well. No details (yet) on upcoming powered flight tests. #NSRC2017
Whitesides: Italian Space Agency has signed letter of intent to purchase a full SS2 research flight, with an Italian payload specialist flying on it. Scheduled for 2019. #NSRC2017
Whitesides: doing a lot of work on the vehicle to prepare it for powered test flights. Anticipating a full series of test flights in 2018; will take the time to do it right. #NSRC2017
Whitesides: still planning to do one more glide flight before beginning powered test flights. #NSRC2017
Virgin Galactic signs SpaceShipTwo research flight deal with Italian space agencyby Jeff Foust — December 19, 2017
Jeff Foust's write-up of yesterday's remarks:QuoteVirgin Galactic signs SpaceShipTwo research flight deal with Italian space agencyby Jeff Foust — December 19, 2017http://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-signs-spaceshiptwo-research-flight-deal-with-italian-space-agency/
This year’s lecture reviews the past 10 years of progress toward preparing for routine space flight for members of the public. The lecturer reviews the regulatory and legal climate affecting preparations for flying commercial space flight participants under the auspices of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Results from research conducted to evaluate the challenges presented by the broad range of individuals wishing to fly to space on commercial vehicles will be discussed. Dr. Vanderploeg includes a review of pre-flight testing and training used to identify and quantify the medical risks for commercial space flight participants and the mitigation of those risks. The lecture concludes with the application of results and recommendations from research and practical experience to the medical program at Virgin Galactic. As commercial space flight operations commence over the next one to two years, the opportunities to practice Aerospace Medicine in new and exciting ways will become a reality.
Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 12/21/2017 05:02 amSpaceX should be able to claim the cost of the booster as a tax deduction if it is donated to a museum. That's why SpaceShip One ended up in the Smithsonian, instead of taking up tourists.Spaceship One did not fly tourists because it was too unstable and dangerous... that’s why it was retired immediately, a tax deduction was not a major factor.
SpaceX should be able to claim the cost of the booster as a tax deduction if it is donated to a museum. That's why SpaceShip One ended up in the Smithsonian, instead of taking up tourists.
Guys?This article just appeared on Parabolic Arc:http://parabolicarc.com/2018/01/08/richard-bransons-latest-memoir-lost-space/There's a lot of harsh criticism there.What do you think?
More than 14 years after Tai’s accidental discovery, Branson is still waiting for his ride to space along with about 650 Virgin Galactic ticket holders. The SpaceShipTwo program has consumed more than $600 million while producing more deaths (4) than successful powered flights (3), all without getting anywhere near space. The effort has dragged on longer than the Apollo moon program that inspired Branson’s love of space.
Today we're expecting another article from Parabolicarc. The article will be called "A dangerous illusion is shattered in the skies over the Mojave."Meanwhile on 4th of January we passed a 5-month gap of flights. The last gliding test was in august. If this lull continues, there will be half a year without flights.This is in sharp contrast with what Virgin Galactic envisioned last fall. They said that until the end of 2017 Unity will be doing powered flights, and "powered tests are set to take place every three weeks".Nothing like this happened and it's really curious what's going on behind the curtains. Are they still having trouble with the engine?
Quote from: Svetoslav on 01/08/2018 12:08 pmGuys?This article just appeared on Parabolic Arc:http://parabolicarc.com/2018/01/08/richard-bransons-latest-memoir-lost-space/There's a lot of harsh criticism there.What do you think?The essence of Doug's criticism is this quote from his post:QuoteMore than 14 years after Tai’s accidental discovery, Branson is still waiting for his ride to space along with about 650 Virgin Galactic ticket holders. The SpaceShipTwo program has consumed more than $600 million while producing more deaths (4) than successful powered flights (3), all without getting anywhere near space. The effort has dragged on longer than the Apollo moon program that inspired Branson’s love of space.I haven't read Branson's book, but what Doug says in the above paragraph speaks for itself, and whatever Branson says in his book isn't going to change that dismal record.
Quote from: Svetoslav on 01/08/2018 12:08 pmGuys?This article just appeared on Parabolic Arc:http://parabolicarc.com/2018/01/08/richard-bransons-latest-memoir-lost-space/There's a lot of harsh criticism there.What do you think?Typical. More of the same from that site, one sided "reporting"...more akin to blogging I would say. After the VSS Enterprise accident, he reported it was the engine as expected all along, that blew up. I look at the available photos posted on his own site would prove otherwise, as was later revealed.
Quote from: LaunchedIn68 on 01/09/2018 04:30 pmQuote from: Svetoslav on 01/08/2018 12:08 pmGuys?This article just appeared on Parabolic Arc:http://parabolicarc.com/2018/01/08/richard-bransons-latest-memoir-lost-space/There's a lot of harsh criticism there.What do you think?Typical. More of the same from that site, one sided "reporting"...more akin to blogging I would say. After the VSS Enterprise accident, he reported it was the engine as expected all along, that blew up. I look at the available photos posted on his own site would prove otherwise, as was later revealed. That's right. VG actually had more issues in their craft and operations, beyond the engine issues that were correctly reported on on PA.His initial guess as to what's happened was wrong, but that hardly makes his engine reporting faulty, or VG look any better.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.RicSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro