Virgin Galactic's Space Odyssey

[SimonShuttle]

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/oct2004/nf20041015_2589_db039.htm

[British NASA]

That's a good article. I like the info on SS2 and how the tourists will get to ride in the White Knight to see what they are in for.

[Rocket Ronnie]

Yeah, that's the best thing I've heard from Virgin Galactic for some time. That appears to be a plan.

[Hotol]

Ah the Bristol Aerospace's Black Brant XI. James?

[JamesSpaceFlight]

Hotol - 29/12/2005  8:25 AM

Ah the Bristol Aerospace's Black Brant XI. James?

Small payloads. A nice tried and tested old system, but nothing to get overly excited about. Skylon it's not!

I'll send Chris an e-mail with images and a video to put on site.

[publiusr]

Branson would be better off buying that second AN-225 that was to be finished--and rush its completion--but with A-380 or 777 type engines.

 This way, he can use that carrier aircraft for Heavy Lift transport when it is not in use as a first stage.

Then all Rutan needs to build is an interim Hotol/MAKS type craft.

[Chris Bergin]

Branson wants something that will look good on PR, does the job, expands the brand and makes his face the logo. Rutan's ship ticks the boxes.

Give it five years, he'll of handed over the brand to one of his new execs and moved on to the next thing that takes his interest.

Don't let ballon trips, a big smile and TV reality shows fool you - he's marketing with a capital M and a ruthless businessman.

[Justin Space]

Maybe he'll pay for one of the ships by doing another reality TV show

[JonClarke]

"Give it five years, he'll of handed over the brand to one of his new execs and moved on to the next thing that takes his interest."

So long has there is a functioning space tourism business at the end who cares?  Good luck to him.  I hope he suceeds.

Jon

[David AF]

JonClarke - 30/12/2005  9:51 PM

"Give it five years, he'll of handed over the brand to one of his new execs and moved on to the next thing that takes his interest."

So long has there is a functioning space tourism business at the end who cares?  Good luck to him.  I hope he suceeds.

Jon

I concur. After all, his other ventures, such as the airline business, are doing very well.

[Chris Bergin]

David AF - 31/12/2005  4:12 AM

JonClarke - 30/12/2005  9:51 PM

"Give it five years, he'll of handed over the brand to one of his new execs and moved on to the next thing that takes his interest."

So long has there is a functioning space tourism business at the end who cares?  Good luck to him.  I hope he suceeds.

Jon

I concur. After all, his other ventures, such as the airline business, are doing very well.

His Airline is the one that's worked well. He sold and split up Virgin Music and now has Virgin Mobile (cell phones) and Virgin Credit Cards. I hope he suceeds too, but I also hope he's willing to stick by it during the years it might be running at a big loss.

[hyper_snyper]

Two more passengers on the roster...

Brad and Angelina sign up.

It's a good thing all these rich people have shown interest in VG.  Otherwise it would be pretty hard to get the business flying.

[Hotol]

That sort of publicity will help them a lot. But I'm skeptical on Branson's long-term interest in this.

[Avron]

Hotol - 10/1/2006  4:26 AM

That sort of publicity will help them a lot. But I'm skeptical on Branson's long-term interest in this.

I agree, I am also a little skeptical, but I dont think that man will give up until its a going concern.. the man does not know the word 'quit'

[vt_hokie]

There will be a catastrophic accident with fatalities sooner or later.  I hope that they are prepared for that, and I wonder where the line is in terms of public perception.  For example, if a 737 crashes, that doesn't stop thousands of people from boarding a 737 the next day.  But how many successful flights must Virgin Galactic have for every failure before people can accept the risk in their minds?

[Chris Bergin]

Nice image of Global Flyer, just because it's somewhere to place it

[t walker]

When do we get to see what SS2 looks like?

I love what Virgin Galactic are doing and all the best luck to them in thier venture, BUT...

SS2 looks like its going to be very big. 7 crew, 9 crew, however much it is, mounted ontop of a white knight the size of a 717.  Is it doable?

[vt_hokie]

6 crew (5 pax, 1 pilot).

[Jonesy STS]

Five pax? Five Paxs of sick bags maybe?