Author Topic: Space Ship Two - General Thread (Read 748589 times)

docmordrid · « **Reply #400 on:** 04/30/2011 06:05 am »

Aren't SpaceDev's hybrids reusable? If so just how many would they need?

jabe · « **Reply #401 on:** 04/30/2011 10:57 am »

Quote from: docmordrid on 04/30/2011 06:05 am

Aren't SpaceDev's hybrids reusable? If so just how many would they need?

IIRC they are a one time use...I'll see if i can find where I read that...
jb
edit: I believe the Nozzle is ablative..so if i understand how ablative nozzles function....they would need lots of refurbishment..making new ones maybe cheaper and easier

douglas100 · « **Reply #402 on:** 04/30/2011 02:37 pm »

Quote from: docmordrid on 04/30/2011 06:05 am

Aren't SpaceDev's hybrids reusable? If so just how many would they need?

Assuming RM 2 is a larger version of the motor used on SpaceShip One, then the nozzle and casing which holds the solid fuel would not be replaceable. After each flight, a new fully loaded case and nozzle would be bolted to the vehicle. The tank which holds the N2O oxidiser, the control valves and injector are part of SpaceShip 2 and would therefore be reuseable.

That's why so many cases have been ordered!

jabe · « **Reply #403 on:** 04/30/2011 03:03 pm »

Quote from: douglas100 on 04/30/2011 02:37 pm

That's why so many cases have been ordered!

My main question is still..I think 50 cases is not many.. considering the # of test launches they will probably do. I'm assuming they will renegotiate rather then look for another supplier.
jb

douglas100 · « **Reply #404 on:** 04/30/2011 04:55 pm »

Maybe these are just a preliminary batch.

Cherokee43v6 · « **Reply #405 on:** 04/30/2011 10:31 pm »

Quote from: jabe on 04/30/2011 12:47 am

Quote from: Space Junkie on 04/29/2011 10:29 pm
Scaled, which has a firm contract with Sierra Nevada for 50 RM2 engines...
50 RM2 doesn't get you too far past test phase... what options will they have if the motors "suck" for lack of a better word... go liquid?

jb

Well, one way to look at it is that past the test phase, the engines are no longer Scaled Composite's responsibility. After-all, United, American, Delta and the rest buy their replacement engines directly from the manufacturer. Therefore, I expect that Virgin Galactic will be responsible for orders relating to the operational motors.

That will be the contract to watch for. When it is let, that will be the precursor to actual commercial operations.

Jason1701 · « **Reply #406 on:** 04/30/2011 10:43 pm »

How will we know when it's let? Are either of the companies publicly held? Otherwise, they'd be under no obligation to tell us.

Cherokee43v6 · « **Reply #407 on:** 04/30/2011 10:51 pm »

Quote from: Jason1701 on 04/30/2011 10:43 pm

How will we know when it's let? Are either of the companies publicly held? Otherwise, they'd be under no obligation to tell us.

SpaceDev, which SNC bought, was publicly traded. I'm not sure if SNC is though. I think, however, that they might be.

Neither company would feel a need to keep quiet about such a deal, however, as it would be an extreme positive, advertising their services to others.

docmordrid · « **Reply #408 on:** 05/01/2011 04:20 am »

SNC is privately held by the Ozmen family and has been since they bought it in 1994. Faith Ozmen is CEO and Eren Ozmen is the President and CFO.

jabe · « **Reply #409 on:** 05/04/2011 03:52 pm »

sweet....from Virgin Galactic's twitter

Quote

VSS Enterprise has landed safely after a successful first flight in "feathered" mode. A major milestone for Virgin Galactic. More info soon.

article is up
http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/spaceshiptwos-first-feathered-flight/

mr. mark · « **Reply #410 on:** 05/04/2011 06:20 pm »

More on feathered reentry from spaceref.com Now we seem to be getting somewhere the test phase is really picking up and I like what I'm seeing. Can't wait for the first powered flight.

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=33456

Alpha Control · « **Reply #411 on:** 05/04/2011 08:24 pm »

I second that. Great picture, and another of the many important milestones in the SS2 test program. Looking forward to moving into the powered flight test phase as well. Hopefully soon!

iamlucky13 · « **Reply #412 on:** 05/04/2011 09:44 pm »

Quote

Burt Rutan was determined to find a failsafe solution which remained true to Scaled Composite’s philosophy of safety through simplicity. His inspiration for what is known as the feathered re-entry was the humble shuttlecock

Can anyone provide clarification on this - is "failsafe" simply referring to the stable nature of the shuttlecock configuration, or does that include the transition from shuttlecock transition back to glide configuration? Is that transition made via aerodynamic forces or powered by actuators?

Also, I assume at 100 km up, there's still sufficient atmosphere for aerodynamic forces to keep the spacecraft reasonably stable? Or is a tumble possible that passively recovers as the spacecraft descends. I haven't seen mention of any attitude control thrusters...

douglas100 · « **Reply #413 on:** 05/04/2011 10:44 pm »

Quote from: iamlucky13 on 05/04/2011 09:44 pm

Quote
I haven't seen mention of any attitude control thrusters...

SpaceShipOne had attitude control thrusters. Cold gas jets, I seem to remember. I assume SpaceShip Two has them as well.

Rocket Science · « **Reply #414 on:** 05/05/2011 12:19 am »

Quote from: iamlucky13 on 05/04/2011 09:44 pm

Quote
Burt Rutan was determined to find a failsafe solution which remained true to Scaled Composite’s philosophy of safety through simplicity. His inspiration for what is known as the feathered re-entry was the humble shuttlecock

Can anyone provide clarification on this - is "failsafe" simply referring to the stable nature of the shuttlecock configuration, or does that include the transition from shuttlecock transition back to glide configuration? Is that transition made via aerodynamic forces or powered by actuators?

Also, I assume at 100 km up, there's still sufficient atmosphere for aerodynamic forces to keep the spacecraft reasonably stable? Or is a tumble possible that passively recovers as the spacecraft descends. I haven't seen mention of any attitude control thrusters...

Here you go...

http://www.mdzeitlin.com/Marc/scaled_work.html

Celebrimbor · « **Reply #415 on:** 05/12/2011 12:24 pm »

Glide flight number 8, for the record:

Flight: 59 / GF08
Date: 10 May 11 Flight Time: 13 min, 2 sec
SS2 Pilot: Stucky SS2 CoPilot: Shane
GS Crew: Alsbury, Tighe, Verderame, Persall, Bozarth, Reid, Glaser, Knupp, Inks

Objectives:
Flutter susceptibility testing
Pilot proficiency

Results:
All objectives achieved.

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

corrodedNut · « **Reply #416 on:** 05/18/2011 05:17 pm »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er9-sTDhJ58&feature=player_embedded#at=13

"Exclusive footage of the first feather flight, Mojave, CA"

PS. Hit "watch on youtube" to see it in HD

Rocket Science · « **Reply #417 on:** 05/18/2011 05:20 pm »

Quote from: corrodedNut on 05/18/2011 05:17 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er9-sTDhJ58&feature=player_embedded#at=13

"Exclusive footage of the first feather flight, Mojave, CA"

She's a beauty, thanks for posting:)

yg1968 · « **Reply #418 on:** 05/18/2011 05:40 pm »

Impressive video. When the spaceship is going from its feathered position back to its normal position, it seems to be rocking back and forth. Is that normal?

savuporo · « **Reply #419 on:** 05/18/2011 08:08 pm »

It definitely looks a bit wobbly when feathered.

An unrelated comment on youtube : "this guy flies a spaceship for a living". We are living in future ..