Space Ship Two - General Thread

[corrodedNut]

Couldn't get into the FTP site, this is via RLV and Space Transport News:

http://www.hobbyspace.com/AAdmin/Images/RLV/Scaled/2010/SS2_1st_glide_1286734198_1000x617.jpg

Ooops, I see jabe has updated his earlier post...

[jabe]

from this tweet

Read all about VSS Enterprise's fantastic flight and view images at http://www.virgingalactic.com

the Virgin site was suppose to have an update but I don't see it yet
jb
edit: I wonder if the meant http://www.virgingalactic.com/glideflight

[psloss]

Works for me.  Home page has "VSS Enterprise Completes First Manned Glide Flight" headline, which goes to:
http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/vss-enterprise-completes-first-manned-glide-flight/

[e of pi]

What's the last reports on the status of the motor system? Now that they've glide and drop tested, that seems like the major remaining challenge, yet I can't recall the last time I heard anything at all about the motor status.

[SpacexULA]

What's the last reports on the status of the motor system? Now that they've glide and drop tested, that seems like the major remaining challenge, yet I can't recall the last time I heard anything at all about the motor status.

http://www.scaled.com/projects/proteus.html

August 11th was the 5th test fire, and the last test fire reported, no issues reported then. 

Branden has claimed 18 months till paying customers, so unless he was just thumping his chest, the motor must be coming along well.

[Namechange User]

I just saw this on the news.  Nice job and congratualtions to Scaled and Virgin.  May the wind continue to be at their backs. 

[Retired Downrange]

To see some video from the National Geographic production shot earlier, and still photo's from today go to this Wired article:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/10/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-makes-first-glide-flight/

[oiorionsbelt]

Does anyone know why WhiteKnight Two's wheels are down during the release of SpaceShip Two at 45,000ft?

[e of pi]

http://www.scaled.com/projects/proteus.html

August 11th was the 5th test fire, and the last test fire reported, no issues reported then. 

Branden has claimed 18 months till paying customers, so unless he was just thumping his chest, the motor must be coming along well.

Thanks.

[skyguy]

YouTube video

[go4mars]

Does anyone know why WhiteKnight Two's wheels are down during the release of SpaceShip Two at 45,000ft?

I guessing that it's related to a temporary fix of their landing gear problem.  One of them broke upon landing a few weeks ago. 

[TheFallen]

YouTube video

Awesome!

[bolun]

Virgin Galactic's suborbital spaceship, Enterprise, has made its first solo test flight, in California.

The spaceship was carried to an altitude of 45,000ft (13,700m) by an aeroplane and then dropped to glide back to the Mojave Air and Space Port.

Enterprise will soon be taking people prepared to pay $200,000 (£126,000) on short hops above the atmosphere.

The British billionaire behind the project, Sir Richard Branson, was on hand to witness the drop test.

"This was one of the most exciting days in the whole history of Virgin," the entrepreneur said.

"For the first time since we seriously began the project in 2004, I watched the world's first manned commercial spaceship landing on the runway at Mojave Air and Space Port and it was a great moment."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11511604

[Nomadd]

Does anyone know why WhiteKnight Two's wheels are down during the release of SpaceShip Two at 45,000ft?

The extra drag might have made WK2s reaction to the drop more predictable for the initial test.

[wini]

Does anyone know why WhiteKnight Two's wheels are down during the release of SpaceShip Two at 45,000ft?

from scaled news:

Because our ultimate goal is to keep SS2 flight test schedule progressing forward at pace, the mothership may be flying the next couple flights with the gear down and locked until we can fully test the new gear mechanisms.

[mjcrsmith]

Question about the front nose gear on Spaceship 2. 

Why a skid rather than wheels?  Better breaking? Lower weight?

[corrodedNut]

Question about the front nose gear on Spaceship 2. 

Why a skid rather than wheels?  Better breaking? Lower weight?

It's a glider, so when it stops, it stops, and won't move again unless something tows it. So yes, why add the extra weight and complexity?

SS1 nose skid was a piece of maple (no sparks), perhaps the only functional component made of wood to go into space, please correct me if I'm wrong, and no, cork doesn't count.

[robertross]

YouTube video

Awesome!

Seconded!
That was awesome.

[docmordrid]

Let's get done with these glide tests and LIGHT THIS CANDLE!!

[NavySpaceFan]

Looks like Virgin and Scaled are following the "looks good, flies good" school of design and flight testing.  What an amazing looking ship!