Author Topic: Virgin Galactic and SpaceShipTwo Master Thread (1) (Read 255448 times)

Zond · « **Reply #300 on:** 12/23/2010 09:58 am »

Quote from: Danderman on 12/22/2010 09:37 pm

Quote from: simonbp on 12/17/2010 07:19 pm
So, essentially, they paired up with the two serious CCDEV proposals that have runway landings (and thus could theoretically be dropped from WK2). Makes sense.

With the implication that VG's role would be the contribution of WK2 for landing tests.

With the further implication that, since WK2 has much less capacity than the ORB L-1011, that what will be carried by WK2 will be subscale models.

Unless, of course, the plan is to build a larger WK3, then all bets are off.

Why do you think WK2 will carry subscale models? SS2 weighs 30000lbs and WK2 can probably carry more.
The L-1011 probably can carry more weight but is much more constrained in terms of size. If they will test a subscale model it will be because of size constraints on WK 2 (but SS2 isn't small either) or more probably to save money.

jabe · « **Reply #301 on:** 12/23/2010 01:08 pm »

interesting news
from @Jeff_foust

Will Whitehorn is retiring... Odd time to retire when things are picking up..unless things are about to implode..hope it is the former.
jb

docmordrid · « **Reply #302 on:** 12/23/2010 01:33 pm »

IIRC Will Whitehorn was a PR type at Virgin, which is what you want up front when you're a startup. He's being replaced at President by VG CEO George T. Whitesides, who I think is more of an operations guy.

Sounds like they're just blending the 2 positions.

yg1968 · « **Reply #303 on:** 12/23/2010 05:06 pm »

More on this:
http://www.newspacejournal.com/2010/12/23/virgins-will-whitehorn-to-retire/

simonbp · « **Reply #304 on:** 12/23/2010 10:53 pm »

Quote from: yg1968 on 12/23/2010 05:06 pm

More on this:
http://www.newspacejournal.com/2010/12/23/virgins-will-whitehorn-to-retire/

So, by the sound of it, he's been semi-retired from VG for years now, and just made his departure official...

Spiff · « **Reply #305 on:** 02/28/2011 01:03 pm »

Virgin Galactic to Fly Scientists to Space
28.02.11

http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/virgin-galactic-to-fly-scientists-to-space/

Virgin Galactic Announces World’s First Commercial Contracts to Send Researchers to Space

Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, LLC, the world’s first commercial spaceline, announced today the first ever commercial contracts to fly scientists into space for the purpose of conducting research experiments.

Virgin Galactic’s signed contract with the Southwest Research Institute is the first such agreement to fly scientists into space (over 100 kilometers or 328,000 feet above the Earth), enabling valuable microgravity, biology, climate and astronomy research.

As part of the contract announced today, SwRI has made full deposits for two researchers to fly on Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft, with the intent to make similar arrangements for an additional six seats for a total value of $1.6m. As well as flying its own researchers, who will carry scientific experiments developed by its in-house technical staff, SwRI also aims to assist American researchers who do not have direct spaceflight experience to develop and fly their payloads and personnel on suborbital missions.

Commenting on the agreement, George Whitesides, President and CEO of Virgin Galactic said: “This agreement signals the enormous scientific potential of the Virgin spaceflight system. Virgin Galactic will be able to offer researchers flights to space that are unprecedented in frequency and cost. Science flights will be an important growth area for the company in the years to come, building on the strong commercial success already demonstrated by deposits received from over 400 individuals for Virgin’s space experience”.

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo is the only crewed suborbital vehicle in flight test today, and the only vehicle based on a spacecraft that has already sent humans into space, the X Prize-winning SpaceShipOne. Virgin Galactic offers a significantly larger cabin than any other company taking deposits today, allowing unique technology demonstrations and science experiments.

SwRI’s Dr. Alan Stern, Associate Vice President of SwRI’s Space Division and former NASA Associate Administrator for Science, stated: “We at SwRI are very excited about this agreement. Initially, two of our payload specialists will be flying on Virgin Galactic, conducting biomedical monitoring, atmospheric imaging, and microgravity planetary regolith experiments. We’re excited to be flying with Virgin Galactic to pioneer research missions on their amazing vehicles; we look forward to the not so distant day when entire Virgin Galactic flights are filled with researchers and their experiments.” Dr. Stern is the Principal Investigator of this project.

NASA has recognized the importance of this research platform through its new Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research Flight Opportunities program. While separate from today’s announcement, that program will open significant additional opportunities for researchers onboard suborbital vehicles. The Virgin Galactic-SwRI agreement represents another important endorsement of the value of regular commercial human space access for a wide range of science and educational applications.

Moe Grills · « **Reply #306 on:** 03/01/2011 05:50 pm »

With the La Nina weather system hanging over western North America,
and likely to stay put for many months, it is possible that Scaled Composites will not risk carrying out any further glide tests for SS2 over Mojave during the next few months. This looks to be a major setback and delay for Virgin Galactic's timetable & agenda.

I hope I'm wrong.

yg1968 · « **Reply #307 on:** 03/11/2011 04:24 pm »

This isn't new but I don't think that it was posted before:
http://www.livestream.com/dldconference/video?clipId=pla_5db50c1a-6e8e-4ada-a16b-3fa12b3b86f5

See also:
http://www.newspacejournal.com/2011/01/23/space-adventures-and-virgin-galactic-make-a-little-news-in-munich/

jabe · « **Reply #308 on:** 03/23/2011 10:06 pm »

Quote from: Moe Grills on 03/01/2011 05:50 pm

With the La Nina weather system hanging over western North America,
and likely to stay put for many months, it is possible that Scaled Composites will not risk carrying out any further glide tests for SS2 over Mojave during the next few months. This looks to be a major setback and delay for Virgin Galactic's timetable & agenda.

I hope I'm wrong.

So you think weather is still an issue? Lets hope they are at least doing engine tests ...
jb

simonbp · « **Reply #309 on:** 03/24/2011 06:26 pm »

Well, let's put the area weather in perspective: it's mid-March, and here in Flagstaff, it's snowed twice in the past week. Not extraordinary, but enough to show that the high-level winds from La Nina are still very much there...

yg1968 · « **Reply #310 on:** 04/21/2011 03:00 pm »

Virgin looking for a partner to build a hotel near Spaceport America:
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2011_2nd/Apr11_SpaceportHotel.html

mr. mark · « **Reply #311 on:** 04/21/2011 03:15 pm »

Once again, Richard Branson continues to use Virgin Galactic and SS2 as a vehicle for his money making schemes without any proof that the vehicle even will work under power. I would tie any hotel contract to successful completion of SS2 powered testing. If anything, it at least moves the SS2 program forward.

swampcat · « **Reply #312 on:** 04/21/2011 09:26 pm »

Quote from: yg1968 on 04/21/2011 03:00 pm

Virgin looking for a partner to build a hotel near Spaceport America:
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2011_2nd/Apr11_SpaceportHotel.html

He should give Robert Bigelow a call. A pimped up Budget Suites of America might fill the bill. BA-330's made up like moon base habitats should fit right in with the local terrain and provide unique guest suites.

Probably have to change the name to Big Budget Suites of America.

Chandonn · « **Reply #313 on:** 04/21/2011 09:53 pm »

Quote from: swampcat on 04/21/2011 09:26 pm

Quote from: yg1968 on 04/21/2011 03:00 pm
Virgin looking for a partner to build a hotel near Spaceport America:
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2011_2nd/Apr11_SpaceportHotel.html

He should give Robert Bigelow a call. A pimped up Budget Suites of America might fill the bill. BA-330's made up like moon base habitats should fit right in with the local terrain and provide unique guest suites.

Probably have to change the name to Big Budget Suites of America.

Actually not a too-bad idea: a themed hotel for space travelers. You've gotta expect it.

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #314 on:** 04/22/2011 04:16 pm »

Per twitter, seems that Spaceshiptwo has finally performed a glide test:

Quote

spotter reports in #Mojave say SpaceShipTwo is doing a glide test flight right now

http://twitter.com/#!/ikluft

MadameConcorde · « **Reply #315 on:** 04/23/2011 07:25 pm »

What is the cost of a ticket for the Branson sub-orbital flyer at today's price in US Dollars?

AnalogMan · « **Reply #316 on:** 04/23/2011 08:04 pm »

Quote from: MadameConcorde on 04/23/2011 07:25 pm

What is the cost of a ticket for the Branson sub-orbital flyer at today's price in US Dollars?

$200,000
http://www.virgingalactic.com/booking/

Garrett · « **Reply #317 on:** 07/05/2011 09:14 am »

Not really a Virgin Galactic update, but I thought it would be better to put it here than starting a new thread:

Virgin Galactic Puts Its Spacey Typeface Up For Sale
http://www.fastcodesign.com/1664392/virgin-galactic-puts-its-spacey-typeface-up-for-sale

Garrett · « **Reply #318 on:** 07/20/2011 09:07 am »

Came across this article today:
White Sands role ends as spaceflight shifts to tourism, new spaceport, Las Cruces Sun News, July 9th 2011.

Includes some info on Virgin Galactic and Spaceport America. Some notable excerpts:

Quote

Virgin Galactic has said it's ramping up staffing in preparation for the move to New Mexico and eventual operations. Flights may not start until 2013, spaceport and Virgin Galactic officials have said.

(bold emphasis mine)

Quote

Though the runway is finished, construction of the spaceport's $32.5 million terminal-hangar is behind schedule. It was supposed to be completed by December 2010. Contractors have complained of late payments and cost overruns.

Quote

The spaceport's first phase, which includes both the runway and terminal-hangar, was 87 percent finished on Friday, said Christine Anderson, executive director for Spaceport America.

(bold emphasis mine)

and the way this is written makes me feel pessimistic about RocketMotorTwo's development:

Quote

SpaceShipTwo ... must move to powered flights, something dependent upon a rocket motor now in development.

vt_hokie · « **Reply #319 on:** 07/20/2011 10:00 pm »

Anyone still believe we're going to have DreamChaser flying in 3 or 4 years when this comparatively simple project is years behind schedule?