SpaceShipTwo stuff

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

shuttle_rtf

Guest
The headline is overdramatic once you've read the article. They've got a few design choices, but still are on target for a 2007 test flight.<br /><br />I'm going to be heading over to the US to interview Rutan in the new year all being well, and his people remain confident.
 
N

nacnud

Guest
Nice to see you back RTF <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Interesting that Qinetiq are getting involved with this project as well. Thanks Ragnorak for the update.
 
S

space_dreamer

Guest
Does anybody know when the first flight of Wight Knight 2 will be? <br /><br />I’m interested to see if the design has changed (apart from the scale).<br />
 
V

vt_hokie

Guest
Seems like they'd better get past the design stage and start bending metal (or composites <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> ) soon if they're going to make those target dates!
 
H

holmec

Guest
Fantastic.<br /><br />This shows that Virgin Galatic is really giving some real good input into the project, and not just letting Rutan's team do all the figuring.<br /><br />This has just boosted my confidence in its success. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>
 
V

vt_hokie

Guest
Why do they feel that 5g is excessive? Don't some roller coasters subject you to that much?
 
J

j05h

Guest
>Why do they feel that 5g is excessive? Don't some roller coasters subject you to that much?<br /><br />I would guess that is because their target market is well-off, middle-aged Baby Boomers who tend to be out of shape? 5G would be fine for industrial or adventure launch, but not for your average corporate VP or other likely spaceflight participant. This is a craft geared toward the same people you see on any airline flight.<br /><br />Personally, I'm holding out for a Minuteman+capsule. 8Gs off the pad! 8) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>
 
V

vt_hokie

Guest
Come on, after riding the Kingda Ka this summer, I want something that doesn't seem boring in comparison! <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />
 
V

vt_hokie

Guest
Yeah, Nitro and Batman are actually better coasters. Kingda Ka is all about that initial acceleration!
 
F

frodo1008

Guest
Also (beside the type of passengers) the length of time that roller coasters are at high g's such as 5g is usually quite short. I would think that coming back from even a sub orbital flight the length of time at such a high g might be several minutes, and certainly would be at least one minute at any rate. If you weigh some 200 lbs having a 1,000 lb gorilla sitting on you chest for even one minute would not be any fun! In particular if you are paying some $200,000 for the privalege! <br /><br />This is why Burt Rutan and his bosses will NOT be using a capsule design for any space tourism. For the first time in any space oriented work the actual comfort of the space travellers themselves is going to have to be a very large consideration! I would think that this would mean windows for a good view, and as gentle a ride as possible!<br /><br />THIS is where space planes are going to have to come from, and it may take some time, but if anyone can do it then Burt Rutan should be able to!
 
Y

yurkin

Guest
I think roller coasters max out at around 3g force, I’m not sure about accelerated roller coasters though. But its only few a few moments, its sustained high g-loads that can hurt you.
 
J

j05h

Guest
OMG! That is such a cool coaster!! The video is great! I got to ride the Black Mamba at Worlds of Fun the summer it opened. It was the record holder at the time - longest drop and speed, IIRC. Great ride and totally offtopic.<br /><br />On SS2, I'm very hopeful about the combination of Virgin's customer pampering and Rutan's design skillz. Especially in combination with SpaceDev, I think they should be flying unmanned tests of the engines between now and '07. I really like the NonExploding Rocket, but think the engine has shown enough unexpected behavior to test more of them in actual flight. SS1's flights were the most inspirational "space" experience i've had, BUT that "loud bang" they heard on one of the flights should indicate more test flights. <br /><br />This applies to the SpaceDev DreamChaser, their CBC and the SS2 spaceplanes. All are using the same engine tech and need to be as reliable as possible. Mass manufactured, shelf storable rocket motors are almost a reality, thanks to Jim Benson (and the old Amroc patents). <br /><br />Josh<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>
 
H

henryhallam

Guest
<font color="yellow"> Having experienced the 1.8gs of the Zero-G flight</font><br /><br /><b>You lucky &%$#@!</b> <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" />
 
M

mcs_seattle

Guest
Wouldn't the landing approach be very nose down and very fast?
 
J

j05h

Guest
>so, people who are willing to be blasted in space on top of a rocket are going to be scared by a nose-high approach?<br /><br />Depends on the stall-speed of the craft. To high of an angle of attack and your spaceplane goes into an uncontrolled stall spin.<br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>
 
S

spacefire

Guest
just what you said about the scale...that runway is huge. To somebody landing on it the rate of approach and descent don't appear that high.<br />I've tried the X24 at Edwards in the sim and because of said scale it didn't seem I was coming in too fast, on the contrary, I overshot the runway as I kept my speed high for fear of stalling.<br />I assume passenger flights into space will land on similar rather long and wide runways. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>
 
S

spacefire

Guest
this is the X24B simulating a Shuttle landing, note the high AOA on touchdown.<br /><br />http://www1.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/X-24/Small/EC75-4914.jpg<br /><br />If the Shuttle astronauts can take it, I assume a space tourist will too. After all, it's not supposed to be safe and gentle. You don't go to an amusement park to get in a rocking chair :p <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>
 
H

holmec

Guest
lol, now we need a commercial centrifuge to withstand 5g.<br /><br />It probably has to do with varying mendical conditions of the passengers. If your going to provide for the population at large, you have to cater to their medical condition.<br /><br />The more people that can take the flight, the more money in the pockets. <br /><br />(blast I was already beaten to this point.) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>
 
H

holmec

Guest
>I got to see a presentation here in Dallas recently by the VP of Virgin Gal.<<br /><br />Virgin Gal? Wait wait. This is a contadiction in modern terms. How can you be a vice president of a virgin gal? Oh, maybe that's the father's role. Mother must be president then. <br /><br />Are you playing with names, kadetken? <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>
 
V

vt_hokie

Guest
How much does one of those flights cost?<br /><br />If I weren't planning to give up my income and pursue graduate school, I'd be tempted to take one of those Mig 25 flights!
 
H

holmec

Guest
I hear about $200,000.00 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts