Author Topic: Virgin Galactic and SpaceShipTwo Master Thread (1) (Read 255443 times)

dad2059 · « **Reply #40 on:** 12/07/2009 06:39 pm »

Quote from: mjcrsmith on 12/07/2009 06:22 pm

From the press release. Gota love it!

"...will today christen SS2 with the name Virgin Space Ship (VSS) ENTERPRISE."

A good omen, yes?

"Fate protects fools, little children and ships named Enterprise" -- Cmdr. Riker (Contagion)

bad_astra · « **Reply #41 on:** 12/07/2009 06:42 pm »

They'd have to go back and retcon the opening to the Enterprise show if it was still on.

Sesquipedalian · « **Reply #42 on:** 12/07/2009 06:59 pm »

At last we'll get a spaceship named Enterprise that actually goes to space.

fredm6463 · « **Reply #43 on:** 12/07/2009 07:07 pm »

Quote from: mjcrsmith on 12/07/2009 06:22 pm

From the press release. Gota love it!

"...will today christen SS2 with the name Virgin Space Ship (VSS) ENTERPRISE."

At last this Enterprise will actually fly in to space!

thomson · « **Reply #44 on:** 12/07/2009 07:12 pm »

From the http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/virgin-galactic-unveils-spaceshiptwo-the-worlds-first-commercial-manned-spaceship/:

Quote

SS2 will be powered by a unique hybrid rocket motor, which is currently under development.

So the engine is not ready? Or "under development" means ready for tests, not ready for production use?

It's great to hear that in 18 months some people will fly to space on-board Enterprise. Still warp 0, though

Launchpad911 · « **Reply #45 on:** 12/07/2009 07:50 pm »

From MSNBC Cosmic Log -

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/12/07/2143953.aspx

Quote

VSS Enterprise is emblazoned with an image of "Galactic Girl," a mascot who is modeled after Branson's mother as she looked in the 1940s, floating in zero-G. Eve Branson, who admits to being near her 90s, stopped by while we were there to look at her likeness, which was painted by a grandson, Ned Rocknroll.

"These are your belly-dancing days," Richard Branson joked.

"Could have made the boobs a little bit bigger," his mother said, grinning all the while.

"Never satisfied, never satisfied," the son replied.

Eve Branson said she was indeed satisfied, calling the likeness "marvelous" and congratulating her grandson, the artist. "Hey, if you put your grandmother on the side of a spaceship, you're all good," Ned Rocknroll said.

Way to go, Mom!

TheFallen · « **Reply #46 on:** 12/07/2009 08:01 pm »

Quote from: mjcrsmith on 12/07/2009 06:22 pm

From the press release. Gota love it!

"...will today christen SS2 with the name Virgin Space Ship (VSS) ENTERPRISE."

Throw George Lucas a bone! Name the second SS2 the MILLENIUM FALCON.

Downix · « **Reply #47 on:** 12/07/2009 08:08 pm »

Quote from: TheFallen on 12/07/2009 08:01 pm

Quote from: mjcrsmith on 12/07/2009 06:22 pm
From the press release. Gota love it!

"...will today christen SS2 with the name Virgin Space Ship (VSS) ENTERPRISE."

Throw George Lucas a bone! Name the second SS2 the MILLENIUM FALCON.

The second SS2 is named Voyager:

http://www.moneyweek.com/investment-advice/will-space-tourism-ever-take-off.aspx

fredm6463 · « **Reply #48 on:** 12/07/2009 08:15 pm »

Quote from: TheFallen on 12/07/2009 08:01 pm

Quote from: mjcrsmith on 12/07/2009 06:22 pm
From the press release. Gota love it!

"...will today christen SS2 with the name Virgin Space Ship (VSS) ENTERPRISE."

Throw George Lucas a bone! Name the second SS2 the MILLENIUM FALCON.

I recall reading that Sir Richard Branson offered William Shatner a free ride on Enterprise, but the actor turned it down, saying "he wants to stay alive."

DiggyCoxwell · « **Reply #49 on:** 12/07/2009 09:11 pm »

Quote from: thomson on 12/07/2009 07:12 pm

From the http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/virgin-galactic-unveils-spaceshiptwo-the-worlds-first-commercial-manned-spaceship/:
Quote
SS2 will be powered by a unique hybrid rocket motor, which is currently under development.

It's great to hear that in 18 months some people will fly to space on-board Enterprise. Still warp 0, though

In 18 months?
So it may not send it's first "paying" passengers aloft in time
for the 50th anniversary of Al Shepard's suborbital flight [May, 05, 2011].

However, the first "special" passenger flight will carry Sir Richard Branson, his father and crew, and maybe a journalist [Miles O'Brien?] as well; and it may happen in early May, 2011 if all things go well uptil then.

I suspect that the Enterprise will be slung beneath the mothership
and given its first captive flight in time for New Year's EVE.
Get it?...Eve. ;-)

docmordrid · « **Reply #50 on:** 12/07/2009 10:33 pm »

Since they seem to be following Star Trek names I'd vote for VSS Excelsior - a namesake of USS Excelsior (NCC-2000), the beast that ended up being captained by Hikaro Sulu in "Undiscovered Country"