Author Topic: Space Ship Two - General Thread (Read 748629 times)

mr. mark · « **Reply #740 on:** 12/20/2012 02:55 pm »

Virgin Galactic reports that there will be a minimum 2 more drop tests with engine assembly and then powered test flights will start.

"SpaceShipTwo is expected to undertake a minimum of two more glide flights in order to complete all remaining preparation for its first powered flight".

http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/spaceshiptwo-completes-first-glide-in-powered-flight-configuration/

mr. mark · « **Reply #741 on:** 12/20/2012 05:21 pm »

Landing with engine components installed.

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #742 on:** 12/20/2012 05:55 pm »

Have Scaled or Virgin announced when the first powered flight is going to be?

Moe Grills · « **Reply #743 on:** 12/20/2012 06:08 pm »

Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 12/20/2012 05:55 pm

Have Scaled or Virgin announced when the first powered flight is going to be?

I don't think they know the exact day nor hour themselves. That depends on analysis of the glide performances. But, to cheer you up, it will be soon; very soon.

Garrett · « **Reply #744 on:** 12/20/2012 06:41 pm »

Great news!
I expect the proposed two extra glide flights to be an absolute minimum. I'm not going to be surprised if they end up doing up to five extra glide flights.

simonbp · « **Reply #745 on:** 12/21/2012 04:38 am »

Why? Barring anything really strange, the next two glides should be no different from all the other glides so far. What is a real unknown is powered flight, and so they'll be pushing to do that as soon as they can.

Garrett · « **Reply #746 on:** 12/21/2012 09:48 am »

I'm copying this from the VG/Scaled General discussion thread as it also relates to updates

Quote from: Garrett on 12/21/2012 09:46 am

Quote from: oiorionsbelt on 12/20/2012 07:50 pm
They just performed a 5 sec hot fire test of RocketMotorTwo.

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2012/12/20/new-short-duration-test-firings-of-spaceshiptwos-engine/
I've just checked the original RM2 log on the Scaled website. There's no mention of the 5 sec tests. Tests numbered 18, 19 and 21 only have "All objectives completed" in their respective results sections. A bit odd that they've removed the info, unless there was a copy/paste error on their part or on the part of ParabolicArc.com.

Spiff · « **Reply #747 on:** 12/21/2012 03:02 pm »

Flight summary according to scaled's test-logs:

http://scaled.com/projects/test_logs/35/model_339_spaceshiptwo

Quote

Flight:    109 / GF23
Date:    19 Dec 12
Flight Time:    13 min, 24 sec
SS2 Pilot:    Stucky    SS2 CoPilot:    Alsbury
GS Crew:    Bourgeois, Glaser, Knupp, Bassett, Kalogiannis, Jaster, Zeeb, Gould, Binnie, Cassebeer, M. Fuchs, Verderame, Tighe, Withrow, Kroese

Objectives:
SS2 performance
Stability and control with new shortened aft skirt
Installed rocket motor systems and nozzle
Wing/strake Thermal Protection Systems (TPS)
PIO susceptibility evaluation with different flight control modes

Results:
Aero performance slightly better than expected and no negative issues identified. No PIO tendencies noted in loose formation flight. First co-pilot landing – congratulations Mike!

mr. mark · « **Reply #748 on:** 02/06/2013 03:30 pm »

Article update on SS2 microgravity research. Includes rack and SS2 layout.

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/02/05/a-closer-look-at-spaceshiptwos-microgravity-research-capabilities/#disqus_thread

Danderman · « **Reply #749 on:** 02/06/2013 06:17 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 02/06/2013 03:30 pm

Article update on SS2 microgravity research. Includes rack and SS2 layout.

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/02/05/a-closer-look-at-spaceshiptwos-microgravity-research-capabilities/#disqus_thread

The rack system was designed and built by Nanoracks LLC, under contract with the SpaceShip Company.

I can say that shipping those racks to Mojave required many trips from Los Angeles (airport) to Mojave (and back again!) for some poor unfortunate soul .........

Jim · « **Reply #750 on:** 02/06/2013 06:47 pm »

Quote from: Danderman on 02/06/2013 06:17 pm

Quote from: mr. mark on 02/06/2013 03:30 pm
Article update on SS2 microgravity research. Includes rack and SS2 layout.

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/02/05/a-closer-look-at-spaceshiptwos-microgravity-research-capabilities/#disqus_thread

The rack system was designed and built by Nanoracks LLC, under contract with the SpaceShip Company.

Do they have enough Spacehab lockers? I might know where there are extra ones.

Jason1701 · « **Reply #751 on:** 02/07/2013 02:37 am »

Quote from: Danderman on 02/06/2013 06:17 pm

Quote from: mr. mark on 02/06/2013 03:30 pm
Article update on SS2 microgravity research. Includes rack and SS2 layout.

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/02/05/a-closer-look-at-spaceshiptwos-microgravity-research-capabilities/#disqus_thread

The rack system was designed and built by Nanoracks LLC, under contract with the SpaceShip Company.

I can say that shipping those racks to Mojave required many trips from Los Angeles (airport) to Mojave (and back again!) for some poor unfortunate soul .........

Luckily there are plentiful In-N-Outs along that route!!

yg1968 · « **Reply #752 on:** 02/08/2013 06:11 pm »

Here is an update on SS2 from Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelvenables/2013/02/08/interview-steve-isakowitz/

mr. mark · « **Reply #753 on:** 02/08/2013 09:23 pm »

Update...
“All plumbing and tanks are now installed in SS2. The next steps include cold-flow glide flight and the first powered flights. Burn duration will gradually increase on the way to our first space test flight toward the end of 2013. We will then need to complete the FAA licensing process, conduct the last portion of the test flight program, and then be ready for commercial spaceflight.”

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/02/08/vgs-isakowitz-spaceflight-by-end-of-2013-rent-payments-gesture-of-good-faith/

Elmar Moelzer · « **Reply #754 on:** 02/08/2013 10:37 pm »

In other words, things have been postponed towards "the end of the year" once again.

mlindner · « **Reply #755 on:** 02/08/2013 11:09 pm »

I haven't tried to go back and read this whole thread, but do they still have customers on their waiting list? I remember back in 2004 (wow has it really been 9 years already?) they had something like 40 people on their waiting list right away.

spectre9 · « **Reply #756 on:** 02/09/2013 12:58 am »

I hope customers start to protest.

Since I'm not a customer it's not really my place.

Robotbeat · « **Reply #757 on:** 02/09/2013 01:39 am »

Quote from: spectre9 on 02/09/2013 12:58 am

I hope customers start to protest.

Since I'm not a customer it's not really my place.

How would it help?

spectre9 · « **Reply #758 on:** 02/09/2013 04:09 am »

Quote from: Robotbeat on 02/09/2013 01:39 am

Quote from: spectre9 on 02/09/2013 12:58 am
I hope customers start to protest.

Since I'm not a customer it's not really my place.
How would it help?

They've already had one extension for indemnity. Do you suggest the US government just keeps giving them one per year until they feel like getting their act together?

yg1968 · « **Reply #759 on:** 02/09/2013 06:43 am »

Quote from: spectre9 on 02/09/2013 04:09 am

Quote from: Robotbeat on 02/09/2013 01:39 am
Quote from: spectre9 on 02/09/2013 12:58 am
I hope customers start to protest.

Since I'm not a customer it's not really my place.
How would it help?

They've already had one extension for indemnity. Do you suggest the US government just keeps giving them one per year until they feel like getting their act together?

I hasn't cost the government any thing so far.