Author Topic: SpaceShipTwo to be revealed (Read 25762 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 09/26/2006 06:54 pm »

Mistakes in the release.....

** World First in New York ** Virgin Galactic Unveil a Full-Sized Mock-Up Showing the Conceptual Interior of SpaceShipTwo Within the Concept of Scaled-Up Version of SpaceShipOne

WHEN: THURSDAY 28th SEPTEMBER
7.00AM - 9.30AM

WHERE: WIRED NEXTFEST FORUM
THE JAVITS CENTRE/ HALL 3B
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
http://www.nextfest.net/

WHO: SIR RICHARD BRANSON, FOUNDER VIRGIN GROUP OF COMPANIES
WILL WHITEHORN, PRESIDENT VIRGIN GALACTIC
STEPHEN ATTENBOROUGH, HEAD OF ASTRONAUT RELATIONS
ALEX TAI, HEAD OF OPERATIONS

WHAT: 7.00AM - WELCOME BY SIR RICHARD BRANSON
7.15AM - FIRST VIEWING OF ANIMATION OF ASTRONAUT EXPERIENCE
7.30AM - UNVEIL OF FULL SIZED MOCK-UP OF CONCEPTUAL INTERIOR OF
SPACESHIPTWO
7.45AM - UPDATE OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN VIRGIN GALACTIC
8.00AM - INTRODUCTION OF VIRGIN GALACTIC'S NEWEST FOUNDER
ASTRONAUT
8.10AM - Q&A FOLLOWED BY ONE-TO-ONE INTERVIEWS FOR BROADCAST
MEDIA
9.00AM - ENDS

A FULL ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE DAY.

PHOTOGRAPHERS WELCOME.

EVENING EVENT:

6.00PM - SIR RICHARD BRANSON AND THE GALACTIC TEAM WILL HOST A DRINKS RECEPTION AT THE VIRGIN GALACTIC STAND (HALL 3B WIRED NEXTFEST) IN ATTENDANCE WILL BE MANY OF OUR EXISTING CUSTOMERS, SPACE AGENTS AND OTHER VIP GUESTS -- WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED IF YOU WOULD JOIN US FOR A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE!

TO SECURE YOUR PLACE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE PLEASE CALL:
JACKIE MCQUILLAN VIRGIN GROUP
MOBILE: + 44 7905 309096
E-MAIL: [email protected]
http://www.virgingalactic.com/

PRNewswire -- Sept. 26

Source: Virgin Galactic

nacnud · « **Reply #1 on:** 09/28/2006 11:00 am »

Bump.

Is there any more info about this yet, it's supposed to start in 20 mins right?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #2 on:** 09/28/2006 11:11 am »

Nothing.

If you search google news (which picks up nearly every news site in the world) you'll see the latest reference to SS2 was Sept 8, with only the press release above being shown past that.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #3 on:** 09/28/2006 11:37 am »

19 mins ago: BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5388482.stm - just a preview...nothing of interest.

James Lowe1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 09/28/2006 11:59 am »

Trying to get some images, but it looks like a long missile shaped ship, a stretched limo of SS1. (sending via blackberry, so I'll send more).

James Lowe1 · « **Reply #5 on:** 09/28/2006 12:00 pm »

Very large inside. Images of space tourists floating around like in the vomet comet.

James Lowe1 · « **Reply #6 on:** 09/28/2006 12:03 pm »

60ft compared to SS1's 28ft.

VSS Enterprise is the name.

nacnud · « **Reply #7 on:** 09/28/2006 12:45 pm »

Gizmodo has an article up

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/first-images-of-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-cabin-203802.php

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #8 on:** 09/28/2006 12:49 pm »

Yeah, some Hungarian blog site, with people who like to hug spaceships

Still, even though VG PAO actually reply to emails (which immediatly makes they better than NASA PAO), they've got the first images, so good for them.

nacnud · « **Reply #9 on:** 09/28/2006 01:11 pm »

And now flight,

Link

On and some site called nasaspaceflight as well

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=4835

Justin Space · « **Reply #10 on:** 09/28/2006 01:15 pm »

Flight international really is turning into an irrelevant news source in recent years. They can't even get in focus pictures now too.

nacnud · « **Reply #11 on:** 09/28/2006 01:25 pm »

Well the flight pictures do look like camera phone images, they are also the only ones currently out there of the inside of the SS2 mockup.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #12 on:** 09/28/2006 01:37 pm »

Justin, something is always better than nothing, and given the lack of coverage in the media on this...well...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #13 on:** 09/28/2006 01:38 pm »

Media area of the Virgin site now starting to upload stuff:

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #14 on:** 09/28/2006 01:39 pm »

bobthemonkey · « **Reply #15 on:** 09/28/2006 01:53 pm »

Sorry to be pedantic but "a Gulf Stream 4 Corporate Jet" should be "a Gulfstream IV Corporate Jet" accoding to the manufacturer - well actually its now called the Gulfstream G400 or Gulfstream G450

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #16 on:** 09/28/2006 01:54 pm »

Thanks, we'll change the article to be correct (we've included the press release notes too). More images to come.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=4835

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #17 on:** 09/28/2006 01:57 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #18 on:** 09/28/2006 01:57 pm »

nacnud · « **Reply #19 on:** 09/28/2006 02:11 pm »

Crap BBC report on the SS2 but the small section of CGI video is interesting.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/avdb/news_web/video/9012da680052928/bb/09012da6800529ea_16x9_bb.asx

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #20 on:** 09/28/2006 02:27 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #21 on:** 09/28/2006 02:34 pm »

Nice one Duncan. That guy being interviewed sure was a bit excitable

eeergo · « **Reply #22 on:** 09/28/2006 02:39 pm »

Mmm... the last thing the interviewer said about long distance superfast flights is quite interesting... maybe another use for suborbital flights? Is it feasible or just a cool possibility he added?

Thomas ESA · « **Reply #23 on:** 09/28/2006 02:46 pm »

At least you get to die in a nice uniform. This system is not safe through terrible stability.

nacnud · « **Reply #24 on:** 09/28/2006 03:11 pm »

The long distance flight comment is rubbish, you would need orbital velocity to get from the UK to Austraila in 30 mins. Most of what the BBC reporter said was inacurate.

The SS1 on display was a mock-up not the real SS1
He confused orbit with space.
The long distance comment.

eeergo · « **Reply #25 on:** 09/28/2006 03:24 pm »

I see

I just was under the impression SS2 couldn't have enough propellant to cover half the world in 30 minutes without refuelling... and now that I think it, how strange should a suborbital trajectory be to jump from one point of the globe to the opposite!

« **Reply #26 on:** 09/28/2006 03:39 pm »

Love the suits and helmets - I hope no one vomits.

simonbp · « **Reply #27 on:** 09/28/2006 05:30 pm »

Quote

eeergo - 28/9/2006 10:07 AM

I see I just was under the impression SS2 couldn't have enough propellant to cover half the world in 30 minutes without refuelling... and now that I think it, how strange should a suborbital trajectory be to jump from one point of the globe to the opposite!

There's nothing strange about it at all; it's called an ICBM trajectory (for obvious reasons) and does take about 30 minutes....

Simon

Jim · « **Reply #28 on:** 09/28/2006 05:32 pm »

but at velocities of over 10,000 mph

SimonShuttle · « **Reply #29 on:** 09/28/2006 05:34 pm »

Those suits aren't going to do anything other than make you look cool. Won't help with the g forces.

CriX · « **Reply #30 on:** 09/28/2006 06:01 pm »

Looks like Apple designed the interior. It's like one big iPod in there... including the costumes! Very nice though.

vt_hokie · « **Reply #31 on:** 09/28/2006 06:36 pm »

Quote

eeergo - 28/9/2006 10:22 AM

Mmm... the last thing the interviewer said about long distance superfast flights is quite interesting... maybe another use for suborbital flights? Is it feasible or just a cool possibility he added?

It would be nice to find some practical applications for suborbital hops. Right now, the way I see it, SS2 is to an orbital transportation system what a roller coaster is to a high speed train. The technology is cool, and it's fun to ride, but has absolutely no value beyond entertainment.

CriX · « **Reply #32 on:** 09/28/2006 06:43 pm »

What about replacing the weight of the people and seats and pilots and attach an external (detachable) third stage? 100kg sat to LEO?

Jim · « **Reply #33 on:** 09/28/2006 06:51 pm »

Pegasus

CriX · « **Reply #34 on:** 09/28/2006 07:12 pm »

~443kg to LEO for ~US$30 million according Wikipedia.

An SS2 based third stage might compete with that. The first and 2nd stages would be UAVs.

David BAE · « **Reply #35 on:** 09/28/2006 07:17 pm »

Not economic. Vega will rip that market apart.

NotGncDude · « **Reply #36 on:** 09/28/2006 07:54 pm »

Quote

simonbp - 28/9/2006 1:13 PM

Quote
eeergo - 28/9/2006 10:07 AM

I see I just was under the impression SS2 couldn't have enough propellant to cover half the world in 30 minutes without refuelling... and now that I think it, how strange should a suborbital trajectory be to jump from one point of the globe to the opposite!

There's nothing strange about it at all; it's called an ICBM trajectory (for obvious reasons) and does take about 30 minutes....

Simon

Quote

Jim - 28/9/2006 1:15 PM

but at velocities of over 10,000 mph

Yep, and re-entry at that velocity is a whole different business.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #37 on:** 09/28/2006 08:48 pm »

As Duncan mentioned, this was the BBC guy that was making the claims...the guy in question is a Welshman called Gutto - and he normally does politics.

astrobrian · « **Reply #38 on:** 09/28/2006 09:10 pm »

My understanding was that these craft have not even been built yet and that this is just a 3d graphical of what is to be the final design. The exterior shots all look 3d to me and not real.

hyper_snyper · « **Reply #39 on:** 09/28/2006 09:35 pm »

Quote

SimonShuttle - 28/9/2006 1:17 PM

Those suits aren't going to do anything other than make you look cool. Won't help with the g forces.

Yeah I know. I bet that's not what they'll look like. I have my doubts on some of the interior as well. We'll see, I guess.

astrobrian · « **Reply #40 on:** 09/28/2006 10:31 pm »

They kinda have a "Gort" quality to them

MKremer · « **Reply #41 on:** 09/28/2006 11:34 pm »

The suits and helmets were probably shown that way to limit the CGI rendering time and costs for the video, rather than being what will actually be worn. Rendering realistic faces, expressions, and skin textures takes a lot of extra designing and more complex computer rendering (which can mean extra expense, too).

collectSPACE · « **Reply #42 on:** 09/28/2006 11:50 pm »

I was able to attend today's event in New York thanks to a coincidence of scheduling. A few comments based on what is being said here:

- The comment about Australia to London (or vice versa) in 30 minutes was made by Branson, who added the caveat "in the future". Will Whitehorn and Sir Branson said that SS2 was specifically designed to allow sub-orbital point-to-point travel. They did not elaborate.

- The question of suits was raised during the Q&A and it was said that a decision has yet to be made however they were looking at specific designs and had been in touch with a company (whose name I cannot discern based on my recording of the event) about an integrated video/data recorder for the helmet. The suits would be worn in the case of a rapid decompression and not to assist with G-loads.

- Interestingly, the name "VSS Enterprise" was not mentioned once by anyone. All press materials, all comments and signs labeled the vehicle SpaceShipTwo. I see on their redesigned website that VSS Enterprise is still used to describe the first SS2 off the line, but its not clear how the company plans to use SS2 and VSSE together.

- The animation and stand-up (flat) SS2 released and shown today were specifically and purposely left as vague to protect Scaled Composities' intellectual property. Whitehorn said that the first time SS2's real appearance will be seen will be when it rolls out of the hangar in late 2007.

- SpaceShipThree will be dedicated to science and payload delivery.

Here's an image from the event:

(A few more notes from today and images were posted here.)

nacnud · « **Reply #43 on:** 09/28/2006 11:52 pm »

Yeah I think the suits were due to CGI limits too. Also the lack of hand hold on the inside of the ship seems a little odd, how are you supposed to stay looking out of a window rather than floating away?

vt_hokie · « **Reply #44 on:** 09/28/2006 11:57 pm »

Is that a full scale mockup of SS1 in that photo?

collectSPACE · « **Reply #45 on:** 09/29/2006 12:12 am »

Quote

vt_hokie - 28/9/2006 6:40 PM

Is that a full scale mockup of SS1 in that photo?

Yes, it was described by Sir Branson as being there to provide a scale of reference to SS2...

PurduesUSAFguy · « **Reply #46 on:** 09/29/2006 01:15 am »

I think the most interesting of the Rutan/Branson space venture is the White Knight II. A dedicated carrier aircraft of the scale designed for roll under mating opperations has alot of potential for space launch, suborbital or not, reusable or otherwise. It seems to me that a WKII would make alot more sense for launching Air Launches Quick Reach booster then deploying it out the back of a C-17.

I also think it is interesting that Rutan has stated that he will be offering both vehicles for sale to anyone interested in buying them and has not signed an agreement guaranteeing exclusivity with Branson.

Jim · « **Reply #47 on:** 09/29/2006 01:36 am »

The C-17 can lift more and the Air launch booster needs no special attach gear in the C-17. It just lies on rollers

Benj · « **Reply #48 on:** 09/29/2006 01:36 pm »

Does anyone know of any good resources that walkthrough exactly how SS2 and WK2 would exit and reenter? Also, are there any details out there on the business model?

Thanks. Just found this board. Very cool stuff.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #49 on:** 09/29/2006 02:19 pm »

Welcome to the site.

I'll check through the media section of VG and see if they've got anything on this.

kevin-rf · « **Reply #50 on:** 09/29/2006 02:22 pm »

Just to add fuel to the debate... a Branson challenger

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/technology/s/224/224367_rocket_man_says_hell_beat_branson.html

CuddlyRocket · « **Reply #51 on:** 09/29/2006 02:50 pm »

Quote

vt_hokie - 28/9/2006 7:19 PM

It would be nice to find some practical applications for suborbital hops. Right now, the way I see it, SS2 is to an orbital transportation system what a roller coaster is to a high speed train. The technology is cool, and it's fun to ride, but has absolutely no value beyond entertainment.

There is science you can do with short periods of weightlessness, as done on the various vomit comets. SpaceShipTwo should allow for longer such periods. There is also science relating to that portion of the atmosphere. NASA made enquiries about using SpaceShipOne for those purposes (thereby establishing that there is a market), and it's what sounding rockets are used for.

Quote

collectspace - 29/9/2006 12:33 AM

Interestingly, the name "VSS Enterprise" was not mentioned once by anyone. All press materials, all comments and signs labeled the vehicle SpaceShipTwo. I see on their redesigned website that VSS Enterprise is still used to describe the first SS2 off the line, but its not clear how the company plans to use SS2 and VSSE together.

Isn't SpaceShipTwo the name of the model of spaceship (equivalent to Boeing 737), and 'VSS Enterprise' a name to be given to an individual (the first) ship?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #52 on:** 09/30/2006 12:17 am »

Quote

kevin-rf - 29/9/2006 3:05 PM

Just to add fuel to the debate... a Branson challenger

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/technology/s/224/224367_rocket_man_says_hell_beat_branson.html

Not sure how he's going to get three people into that. Wish him the best though............60 miles to see a launch works for me

SimonShuttle · « **Reply #53 on:** 09/30/2006 12:48 pm »

Quote

kevin-rf - 29/9/2006 9:05 AM

Just to add fuel to the debate... a Branson challenger

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/technology/s/224/224367_rocket_man_says_hell_beat_branson.html

If I was him, I wouldn't leave anything on the back of a truck in Salford. It'll be on Ebay by tomorrow

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #54 on:** 10/03/2006 03:42 pm »

More SS2 presser images:

http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/histind/VSS/VSS.html