Virgin Galactic Reach Space

[Waspie_Dwarf 12,838]

December 13, 2018

Richard Branson Welcomes Astronauts Home from Virgin Galactic's Historic First Spacflight

Quote

History has been made and a long-anticipated dream realised in Mojave, CA, today as Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, landed from her maiden spaceflight to cheers from Richard Branson and the teams from Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company.

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[OverSword 43,400]

 

[and then 36,054]

Maybe in a few more generations, the cost of lifting into space will be reasonable enough for mass tourism.  I know I'd love to do it!  Hell, I'd settle for an hour in the "Vomit Comet" 

[Hammerclaw 23,078]

3 hours ago, and then said:

Maybe in a few more generations, the cost of lifting into space will be reasonable enough for mass tourism.  I know I'd love to do it!  Hell, I'd settle for an hour in the "Vomit Comet" 

So would I, but not on those gossamer wings. VG has yet to master orbit and re-entry.

[Waspie_Dwarf 12,838]

11 hours ago, Hammerclaw said:

So would I, but not on those gossamer wings. VG has yet to master orbit and re-entry.

They aren't attempting orbit and re-entry.

[Hammerclaw 23,078]

2 hours ago, Waspie_Dwarf said:

They aren't attempting orbit and re-entry.

As I said. In any event and personally, their "innovative" design for a hypersonic aircraft gives me the willies.

[Waspie_Dwarf 12,838]

21 hours ago, Hammerclaw said:

As I said. In any event and personally, their "innovative" design for a hypersonic aircraft gives me the willies.

That's your choice. As it is a system designed by Burt Rutan, one of the most successful aerospace engineers of recent times, I think it is logical to have more confidence in proven flight data and his opinion than that of someone that didn't even know the spacecraft is not designed for orbit.

The system proved it's worth multiple times with the X-prize winning SpaceShipOne. The fatal accident that befell VSS Unity's predecessor, VSS Enterprise, was not the result of a problem with the wing design but a combination of human error and poor design allowing the wing breaking system to be deployed whilst in powered flight.

[Hammerclaw 23,078]

37 minutes ago, Waspie_Dwarf said:

That's your choice. As it is a system designed by Burt Rutan, one of the most successful aerospace engineers of recent times, I think it is logical to have more confidence in proven flight data and his opinion than that of someone that didn't even know the spacecraft is not designed for orbit.

The system proved it's worth multiple times with the X-prize winning SpaceShipOne. The fatal accident that befell VSS Unity's predecessor, VSS Enterprise, was not the result of a problem with the wing design but a combination of human error and poor design allowing the wing breaking system to be deployed whilst in powered flight.

Obviously, it's not built for orbit--much less re-entry. Obviously, it does what it's designed to do and, obviously, it has fragile and unnecessary points of potential structural failure. I'm delighted it hasn't broken up in flight and hopeful to continue being wrong--I just wouldn't bet my life on it.

[AllPossible 459]

Very awesome. Send some Flat brain earthers up there so they can argue how it's just an illusion lol. Btw as cool as this is I dont see myself going 50 miles up. 

[hehuntsbeaver 13]

I would be a little terrified to be strapped in that. Reminds me of the balsa wood rubber band plane I had as a kid. Just not something I look at and say to myself,

[paperdyer 1,588]

It is something I'd like to do, once!..At almost 66, I doubt if once will happen.