Author Topic: SpaceShipTwo to be revealed (Read 25760 times)

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 »

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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 »

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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.

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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 »

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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