Space Ship Two - General Thread

[Jamsta]

Douglas Messier ‏@spacecom 20s
One minute to drop

e: Away she goes!

[Garrett]

@spacecom (Douglas Messier) - 5:33 PM - 3 Apr 13
Drop
https://twitter.com/spacecom/status/319472789545431040

[Garrett]

@spacecom (Douglas Messier) - 5:44 PM - 3 Apr 13
SS2 on ground after successful glide flight. Full stop on runway 30. Congats. Second of two glide flights.
https://twitter.com/spacecom/status/319475454908170242

[FutureSpaceTourist]

I'm a bit confused by the "second of two glide flights". VG said after the first that at least two more glide flights were necessary before the first powered flight: http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/spaceshiptwo-completes-first-glide-in-powered-flight-configuration/

[Garrett]

I'm a bit confused by the "second of two glide flights". VG said after the first that at least two more glide flights were necessary before the first powered flight: http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/spaceshiptwo-completes-first-glide-in-powered-flight-configuration/

Not sure why he wrote that either. Maybe he meant "second of three glide flights" seeing as in an earlier tweet he said that the test program required three glide flights before powered flights could begin.

[Moe Grills]

I'm a bit confused by the "second of two glide flights". VG said after the first that at least two more glide flights were necessary before the first powered flight: http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/spaceshiptwo-completes-first-glide-in-powered-flight-configuration/

Goodness gracious! You've answered your own question.
 

Two glide tests promised (full-weight), months ago; two full-weight glide tests achieved. It's that simple.

Now they go through the telemetry analysis and pilot reports, lasting days or weeks, and if there are no outstanding issues?....the next drop will be
a prelim for powered flight.: the pilots will go through the sequence of flipping switches on their control panel just short of the final ignition switch.
   That's the way I would do it. Super cautious.

[Jamsta]

Nice test flight snap from Bill Deaver c/o Douglas Messier:

[wjbarnett]

Now there's a nice wall paper!!
If only this had been a flight to space (or at least with an engine test) 

[simonbp]

Nice test flight snap from Bill Deaver c/o Douglas Messier:

That's pretty awesome. Spaceship + Moon.

[mr. mark]

The Moon really isn't the story here. Spaceship 2 has completed 24 successful test flights. That seems to be lost on everyone. Hopefully, powered test flights will be starting after one last glide flight.

http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/local/x1891367180/Space-ship-completes-24th-test-flight-in-Mojave

[Jamsta]

The Moon really isn't the story here. Spaceship 2 has completed 24 successful test flights. That seems to be lost on everyone.

You're overstating things a touch here, we're quite aware how important the test flight stage is - it's just a particularly well framed photo.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

VG tweeted after the glide test:

SS2 took to the skies yesterday for her 24th test flight & 6th flight test of her unique feathered re-entry system. facebook.com/media/set/?set…

Yesterday's successful SS2 test flight also proved her nitrous loading & venting system in prep for powered flight.

[Jason1701]

The Moon really isn't the story here. Spaceship 2 has completed 24 successful test flights. That seems to be lost on everyone. Hopefully, powered test flights will be starting after one last glide flight.

http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/local/x1891367180/Space-ship-completes-24th-test-flight-in-Mojave

It's worth pointing out, though, that those 24 flights have been over 541 days - averaging once every 22.5 days. It will be a huge leap to go from that to several per day.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

It will be a huge leap to go from that to several per day.

Not so huge if you use multiple vehicles, as VG plan too. Last I heard they are still planning to have 2 WK2s and 5 SS2s.

[Robotbeat]

I'm not sure any single SS2 airframe will do more than one flight to space a day (maybe two?). Loading the fuel grain, mating to WK2, then spiraling to altitude takes a while. Now the Lynx on the other hand just loads liquid oxygen and fuel (and helium?) and zips straight from the runway into a steep climb into space and back, just gas and go. No need for loading fuel grain, mating, or spiraling to altitude. I could see that doing several trips a day.

But it's true that with multiple SS2s and WK2s, this is less of an issue. But I'm growing more skeptical that Virgin Galactic won't just opt to go straight to the biliquid SS3 before building out all 5 SS2s.

[kkattula]

I believe SS2 was originally designed for a maximum of 2 flights each per day. Not sure if that still applies. I expect early turnaround times will be much greater.

What's the production rate of fuel grains? They're not an off the shelf item, is there going to be a dedicated facility?

[Robotbeat]

I believe SS2 was originally designed for a maximum of 2 flights each per day. Not sure if that still applies. I expect early turnaround times will be much greater.

What's the production rate of fuel grains? They're not an off the shelf item, is there going to be a dedicated facility?

I can think of no other user of large grain hybrids except possibly Dream Chaser.

[JohnFornaro]

It's worth pointing out, though, that those 24 flights have been over 541 days - averaging once every 22.5 days. It will be a huge leap to go from that to several per day.

Yahbut.  Nobody else is sending something up every three weeks or so.

[JohnFornaro]

I have to ask, how could they have pre-positioned an aircraft to take that "moon shot" picture above?  Quite a bit of precision flying and timing, eh?  Had to be a planned operation.  Just an elementary my dear Watson analysis.

[Garrett]

I have to ask, how could they have pre-positioned an aircraft to take that "moon shot" picture above?  Quite a bit of precision flying and timing, eh?  Had to be a planned operation.  Just an elementary my dear Watson analysis.

or luck ...